The Japanese have a hard time adjusting to cumbersome objects that are too imposing.
This is the explanation given to tatazumai (Appearance), a wokotoba – Japanese (kana) representation of kansei Expression – one of many elements of understanding an object in an elegantly long and narrow prospect for an exhibition hall Japan by Design within this year’s ICFF.
What do you think is that, on the left? Ah, it’s a UZU vacuum cleaner by Metaphys, of course, how come you didn’t guess? (it was better in orange, but presumably white is a cleaner illustration of the concept of tatazumai) . Or look at this 8″ LCD TV (sorry, you’ll have to click on Collection #1 yourself – it’s a Flash application). Or this 1957′ design of the bone china teapot, on the right – “the curved surface of a projecting ear”, says the manufacturer’s description.
Of course, there are other elements to be considered – nishiki (brocade), kagerou (to move from light to shadow), kime (texture), kokora (heart)- that consist of “hospitality, essential value, lightness and knot”, and dosa (gesture) – values of the object that are experienced through production of it , through effort of “arranging space, bending, eliminating the superfluous and folding” (all specific wakotoba).
Urushi Autumn Flowers series lacquer set, handbag of natural ceder by Monacca, Kotori lamps by Hyoshia
And then, after all this beauty and sophistication, after feast for five senses come objects that puzzle me totally. Intent, concept, humor, materials, execution – my reaction to it all can only be summarized by a shrug.
Like this thing that, to my chagrin, I learned about at Dustbury…er…I hesitate to describe it. See for yourself. What the…?
No, sorry, back to ICFF.
Meet Paro the fake seal robot -yeah, I read the promotional brochure, and witnessed the creepy thing itself, raising its head and squeaking, and bouncing off after a slight hit: apparently, the monster will remember and learn “not to be naughty next time”. Creepy, I tell you.
Which some say about famous Neorest toilets by Toto, but I totally get me one as soon as I get rich – with remote, programmable seat temperature, warm air dryer and self-closing seat. Although, on a second thought, Inax corporation presented their black Regio toilet with music playing capabilities…
For some reason, the toilet/bathroom is paramount when the Japanese design buildings, at least, that’s been my impression. One of the first things the Seibu Lions did after the Boston Red Sox paid the eighty or ninety million dollar finder’s fee for their prolific pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was to renovate their stadium.
And what was the first thing they spent money on-after taxes? Self-heating, self-cleaning, immaculate toilets in resplendent, capacious, brand-new restrooms.
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I’m sure there are exist perfect [conceptually] reasons that are beautifully executed by a special wokotoba.
Or a combination of five.
Or just a shrug.
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5 large is a bit much to pay for a toilet, if you ask me.
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It’s not a toilet, Jon. It’s a masterpiece of industrial art!
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Well, the British once referred to the toilet as “the seat of ease.” Maybe…
I like the lamp shade. Though, for some reason, probably the scale when compared to the picture beside it, I thought the vacuum cleaner was a hearing aid with a microphone (for whatever reason it would need a microphone). 😉
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In this part of the exhibition it was forbidden to take pictures, so I have to use the ones available on Cos’ sites. There are more interesting images there, if you click on links.
The shade is made in specific technique used also to make traditional umbrellas; it has been perfected over dozen centuries.
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