NOKASU products as carriers of cultural gestures
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TABLE OF CONTENT Introduction..5 Lecture Review..7 The Brief..9 Group 1 Process..11 Outcome..13 Reflection..15 Group 2 Process..17 Outcome..19 Reflection..21 NOKASU products as carriers of cultural gestures Prof. H. Nagase, Nihon University, Tokyo. Partner University of KISD. Prof. Jenz Großhans, Design Concepts Prof. Andreas Wrede, Identity and Design International Cooperation Project No: 3322 04.-08.11.2013 Participants: Group1 Anna Maria Merkel Anne Hegge Evgenil Krivoruchko Marian Müsch Group 2 Julia Antista Wiebke Lüneburg Eriko Nukina Kathrin Polo Sam Subotic Group 3 Miriam Exner Eva Föllmer Sandra Scholten Patrick Wiesmann
Group 3 Process..23 Outcome..25 Reflection..27
INTRODUCTION One of the important themes in Japan is how to support various kinds of “traditional craft� using woods and clay derived from peripheral rural communities in japanese culture and history. Many kinds of traditional craft might extinct because of rationalization or they will be homogenized in the process of globalization. How could we decide what we should preserve as inherent japanese culture? How could modern japanese design handle tradtional crafts, technics and materials? Essentially traditional craft and products might show more than their superficial and decorative appearances. Crafted work processes and products are shaped by man. So they some how embody cultural memorie and its inherent gestures. How does german design handle with traditional crafts and products? Is it possible to combine traditional crafts with current technology? Participating students can deduct the points in the teaching fields of design concepts or identity and design.
preparing the exhibition
LECTURE REVIEW Traditional Japanese Lacquering techniques The first two days, Prof. Nagase introduced the project team to Japanese lacquer tradition and contemporary Japanese designers working with elements of the lacquer technique. By extracting small amounts of resin of trees and mixing the liquid with powdered bark of the lacquer tree, the liquid and pigment become a strong adhesive fluid that can be used as vanish of for restoring broken porcelain. On of the most historical object that has been vanished with this kind of technique is the Tamamushino zushi, a beetle. Traditionally, there are different methods of lacquering:
Prof Nagase demonstrating origami folding technique
MAKIE describes a technique where lacquer and precious metals such as gold powder is sprinkled on the object URUSHIE is known as the technique of drawing with different colours Tsuishu and Tsuikoku are methods of lacquering several layers and carving the surface CHINKIE decribes the technique of first carving the object and then adding precious metal or gold powder in the carves to later lacquer the carves KAMAKURABORI is the method to first carving the surface and then coating the object with green lacquer or vermilion RADEN is known as adding precious metals in or on the lacquer FUKIURUSHI is a technique to lacquer objects in large scale such as furniture
Raw SUSTIMO teacup (front) and lacquered cups
URUSHI is the technique is fixing or restoring broken objects, normally made of wood or porcelain. The broken part becomes very visible and follows the perception of beauty referring to Wabi Sabi.
THE BRIEF According to Prof. Nagase, the production as well as the demand for traditional Japanese lacquerware has declined within the years as people tend to buy cheaper products coated with Chinese lacquer. Interestingly, a new type of Urushi has now been developed. SUSTIMO is an ecological material as it is partly made of the unused party of the lacquer bark tree, it is biodegradable and locally produced. Giving new shapes and forms to SUSTIMO could contribute to promote local Japanese economic. SUSTIMO is a material that can be pressed to nearly any form within the range of 3 to 10mm thickness. It tolerates temperatures up to 80째C and being lacquered, it has a very soft and light feeling. Our aim was to design new objects made out of SUSTIMO, that would integrate local culture and traditional craft to a contemporary product. Additionally, the product outcome should be stackable or connectable.
an example for stackable SUSTIMO components
GROUP ONE ABSURD NORMALITY PROCESS Apart from being eco-friendly and hygenic, SUSTIMO material is also ridiculously expensive. Every product made from it not only embodies great traditions of japanese craftsmanship, but also becomes a luxury item when put on the market. In our process we tried to aproach the semiotic aspect of the products made from SUSTIMO in the contemporary cultural context. The idea of producing something in the field of actual product design was quickly rejected in favor of rather making a critical commentary on the viscious utitlization of traditions by consumerist culture of today.
discussing different conceots
GROUP ONE ABSURD NORMALITY OUTCOME The unique properties of western and eastern objects were mixed and put together again in one item. In this case the western shape of a everyday throw-away item - plastic cutlery - and the texture of an eastern luxury material - SUSTIMO - were combined. The outcome is a eco-friendly, hygienic, fixable and longlasting set of cutlery with a stunning and traditional finish. All these features sure don‘t come for free, but at a very reasonable price considering all it‘s abilities. And finally our product is presented in a contemporary packaging combining again the various characteristics of two cultures.
preparing the exhibition
GROUP ONE ABSURD NORMALITY REFLECTION This product once again shows our societies‘ view on consumer products, combining a below-one-cent product shape with a high-priced material, charging it up with enough values to make it marketable. Though created to have those properties our product was never intended to sell, making it a criticism on our culture that favors „new objects“ created for the sake of being new, filling the market everyday with more „unique“ but useless items. And finally our product is a symbol of how luxury items are worshiped in our society.
exhibiting the prototypes
GROUP TWO STEKI PROCESS Since we had to create a product made of Sustimo and Urushi it was important to us, to include and work with the benefits of these materials. Due to Urushi‘s very hygienic, non-toxic and antibacterial properties we decided to create a toy for children, since they usually don‘t only touch things but also put them in their mouths. We transformed the gameplay of the traditional Japanese new year‘s game Fukuwarai. In this game the player has to blindly position parts of a face. It‘s supposed to bring happiness through laughter. We tried to keep this principle of Fukuwarai and to transfer it to our 3D object.
folding origami cranes
GROUP TWO STEKI OUTCOME Our game provides a basic block with embedded holes and a number of pieces that can be stuck into it. The shape of these components resembles Origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. Children can play alone, create something of their own imagination, but also together, giving each other tasks of what to build from the block. The pieces are provided in different colors and lacquer patterns, based on Japanese kimono patterns which change according to the seasons throughout the year. The game supports imagination and creativity and addresses the child‘s sense of touch. It is easily understandable and fun for children of different cultural background.
printed toy built as a bird
GROUP TWO STEKI REFLECTION It was a really nice experience to work with the cultural background and insights of our guest professor Hideaki Nagase, who gave us an understanding of Japanese lifestyle, traditional crafts and design. By exchanging and comparing German/European and Japanese ways of thinking and living we found out similar patterns of playing and enjoying games. Due to the lack of time, the team decided to realize a 3D printed model of our idea. Of course, the actual product would consist out of Sustimo and lacquer.
presentation of our product STEKI
GROUP THREE ENSO PROCESS As we had to deal with the restriction that our Object has to be stackable, we focused our idea finding on the benefits of stacking. After some research and brainstorming we came up with the idea to build small portable speakers. The stacking would allow to increase the volume of the connected speaker system. The idea of a portable speaker goes hand in hand with the advantages of the Sustimo material, it can be molded in nearly any form and it is very lightweight. Another point that was important for us, is that we also wanted to give a new possibility of interaction throught the stacking. Everyone can have its own unique laquerware styled speaker. And if you join a bbq with your friends you can connect your speaker with the ones of your friends. After we decided to go for the speaker concept our team worked on the form, did 3D renderings, and built a prototype. We also searched for a good product name and created a logo.
folding origami cranes
GROUP THREE ENSOI OUTCOME Our outcome is a connectable and stackable object, made out of Sustimo, which can be used as a speaker or a lamp. For the presentation we built a 3D-printed prototype, which was coloured with paint to imitate the laquerware look. Enso Speaker: The modularity of the speakers enables people to interact with each other while meeting in a park, at home or in public space. The stacking of the speakers increases the volume. Because of the individual look of each speaker, it’s not difficult to find your own, after using it in a collective system. Furthermore the product is extremely light and therefore easy to move around even when its stacked. The gold lacquer supports the transmitting of the audio signal from one speaker to the others. Enso Lamp: Although it may be suitable for traveling and events, The Enso lamp mainly is a product for the home use. The modularity allows you to expand your light-system with no limit and to increase brightness.
printed toy built as a bird
GROUP THREE ENSO REFLECTION Besides the interexting experience to work with the guest professor Nagase from Japan, the project gave many insights in japanese culture. The approach to use traditional techniques combined with modern materials to produce longlasting, high quality products should also influcence the german culture and product developing, as it is an countermovement to the trend following mass production. Although we had only 4 days to prepare the presentation, we managed do research, concepts and a prototype - this was an important experience for our group. Our prototype was well received during the presentation, maybe we want to revise the concept and build another prototype.
presentation of our product STEKI