MILAN AS AN INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL POLO THROUGH THE MILANO KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL

Postato il by nipponicus

The Milano Korean Film Festival, which will be inaugurated on November 23rd in Milan, will provide to all its visitors the opportunity of meeting big names of the Korean cinema scene, such as Park Jung-Bum, Director of The Journal of Musan and Height of the Wave, or Lee Sang-Young, an important critic and creator of the Jeonju International Film Festival, but also the possibility to discover new Korean talents and their short films.

Italcinema, the organizer of the event, chose the city of Milan precisely because of the important role it plays in the cultural and artistic network of Italy and Europe. An importance that Milano Genius continually tries to support through its projects. But in particular, Milano Genius aims to enhance the creativity and genius of local artists in international relations and cultural exchanges. And in fact the Milan Korean Film Festival will also be the first phase of a project that will coordinate profitable influences and suggestions between young Korean directors and young Italian directors.

MKFF Poster

There is indeed within the MKFF, the project “Korea comes to Milano” and it is one of the most awaited moment of the entire festival. On November 23rd, young Korean directors, selected among the participants of the “Italcinema Short Korean Films Go To Europe” competition, will have the opportunity to show their first works to an international audience and build a first exchange contact with an audience of different tastes and needs .

This is a theme that Asian Studies Group, Co-organizer of the MKFF, hold dear. In fact ASG has created a similar format named “Swich on your Creativity” (SOYC) with the aim to support and enhance Italian youth creativity, also through the creation of opportunities for international comparison. Therefore, as we will have the occasion to discover the creative short films of young Korean directors, the same will happen in Korea, one year from now, during the Italian Film & Art Festival in Seoul. On this last occasion, however, they will be young Italian directors who will have the opportunity to dialogue with a Korean public by showing their first short films.

The idea that aims these two projects, Korea Comes to Milano and Switch on Your Creativity, is to provide the chance to extend the experience and the reputation of these directors not exclusively in their motherland, but also abroad. Moreover, one of the most interesting thing is that in this way it will be possible to listen to different generations thorough an artistic point of view. Obviously, it will be the perfect occasion not to be missed for attending an inimitable form of cultural exchange, without any language barrier.

It is precisely the continual creation of opportunities and international ties that will lead Milan to stand out as one of the most important poles in Italian and European culture and art.

But the artistic exchanges on the occasion of the MKFF will be further reinforced by the presence of the Director Park JungBum who will present two of his masterpieces including Journal of Musan which made him famous and winner of several awards and Height of the Wave, his latest work and already winner of the Locarno Film Festival. At the conclusion of the screenings, moreover, Park JungBum will participate in a Talk together with the critic Lee Sang-Yong.

Director Park Jungbum

This represents an important opportunity to dialogue directly with the director on some of the themes, of which his films are witnesses, most discussed in Italy and Europe. Journal of Musan and Height of the Wave touch the difficulty of cultural intercommunication in a vivid and often crude way. It will therefore be interesting to be able to grasp nuances and suggestions coming from a culture and an environment different from the European one but that so closely resemble situations constantly documented in our mass media. The debate on the theme of the encounter/clash between different cultures can therefore only be enriched by suggestions coming from outside our cultural core.

Milan introduces itself, through the MKFF, an important pole of orientation of dynamics and international relations having as objective not only the creation of commercial connectivity but also, and above all to create new debating and discussion tables through the presentation of different opinions and points of view.

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Italian Genius embraces Korea and Japan through Nathalie’s voice.

Postato il by SiteAdmin

Milano Genius continues on becoming connection point, on international base, for those projects that spread Italian creativity and arts into well framed fields and perspectives.

Another example of these artistic dynamism under the format Milano Genius is represented by #CrossingDistances, the international tour which sees Nathalie as protagonist of cross cultural journey through emotions and music.

The ideal of Milano Genius is creating a contact between different cultures, mainly enforcing contents from the municipalities of Milan towards international destinations, featuring on creative and cultural topics. That’s the reason why it suits to #CrossingDistances.

The format sustained by ACTAgency and ASGProduzioni after being introduced in Milano as first performing stage for the italo-belgian singer continued with successful participation in Korea (Seoul) and Japan (Tokyo).

Nathalie Tour Generale Cover

In particular for Seoul, where Nathalie performed on 26 and 27 of September, the invitation was important occasion to participate at the 11th Italian Film & Art Festival in Seoul, as cultural ambassador.

nathalie ifaf 4.jpg

Thanks to Nathalie and her artistic involvement on cross cultural dialogue through music and arts, Milano Genius could been properly represented in Korea for first time and in Japan (Live in Shimokitazawa on 28th of September) again after many activities that already have taken place in Osaka in 2019 about design, contemporary art, performing art and music as well.

Nathalie chitarra IFAF

The cooperation between Korea and Milano keeps going, in fact the organizing Company of IFAF is planning an edition of the Korean Film Festival in Milan in collaboration with Asian Studies Group, opportunity that will become another source of cultural exchange and mutual promotion for successful cooperation for the future.

Ifaf corridoio.jpg

NIGHTS CALLED MILAN: INTERVIEW WITH ARTIST MICHELE GORLERO

Postato il by Kevin Carrara

By Kevin Carrara

Nights Called Milan has just started in Osaka and in order to celebrate the success that it is receiving across the ocean, we wish to offer you an interview with Michele Gorlero, voice and essential figure of this initiative.

Milano Genius 2019 pursues the goal of enhance the relations between the two twinned cities of Milan and Osaka offering the Nights Called Milan initiative produced by the Italian Cultural Institute in Osaka alongside the Swissôtel Nankai in Osaka. This project is patronized by Municipality of Milan and is sponsored by iFOODQ and distributed by ASG-Produzioni, branch of Asian Studies Group.

Before the start of the interview, we offer you a quick introduction to Michele Gorlero made by Paolo Cacciato, Director of Asian Studies Group and focal member of the production of Milano Genius:

Michele Gorlero is an artist that has already started to focus his professional theatre experience in order to approach the Japanese culture and society. This can be seen thanks to his participation as co-protagonist in the Asian Studies Group theatre production Fushikaden. Michele immediately came to my mind for the Nights Called Milan initiative. I believe that his sensibility and skill will reach the Japanese public that will be bewitched by a play in which words’ meaning leaves the narration to voice and gesture.

What is your opinion regarding the Nights Called Milan event in which Milanese music meet the typical Lombardy’s cuisine?

I was born in San Remo, but I lived in Milan for twelve years, so I consider myself as an adopted Milanese. Regarding Nights Called Milan, I believe that Milanese cuisine and songwriting tradition are two excellence of our country. This experience focused on the cooperation between those aspects will allow the mutual growth for both of them, while emphasize the Milanese atmosphere and tradition. Nights Called Milan will permit to everyone, especially Japaneses, to experience emotions common to us Italians but that can be expressed differently in some societies. Our art is completely different from the one in Japan especially when talking about music. In fact, there are themes that are completely new to Japaneses and the first example of this statement that comes to my mind is the song “La Parola Io” of Gaber that translates in “The word I”. This play focus itself on the personal ego inside every person and I believe that it will allow to the guests of the Dinner Gala to experience and consider for their first time this particular and selfish aspect that the songwriter decided to analyze. I look forward to watching firsthand how Japaneses will relate to the Italian way of life.

Do you believe that the meaning of the track will be able to surpass the linguistic barrier and reach the Japanese public? Furthermore, what is your personal experience with Japan?

I see the linguistic barrier as a valuable addition to every play. I consider it as a thin veil that if used right can bring great profit to the show. The producers of Nights Called Milan had the brilliant idea to deliver to the guests a description in Japanese, English and Italian regarding the meaning of each song. Even if the attendants won’t have an exact translation, that will be for the better since this decision will allow them to bond the meaning of the texts given to them and the words that will come out of my mouth. This procedure is commonly used in abstract art exhibitions in order to give to people the opportunity to think critically and to give their own interpretation regarding what they see. Vecchioni, Jannacci and Gaber were three songwriters very experienced in transmitting emotions to their public. They were true masters of their sector and I believe that thanks to their work even Japaneses will be able to understand what we wish to communicate to them. Many of the songs chosen for Nights Called Milan contain a deep meaning that cannot be understood focusing only on their texts. For example, without spoiling anything too much, I will sing a particular track in a jolly way while my coworker, Alberto Mancini, will play his piano in order to express sadness and anguish. Thanks to those arrangements made by the songwriters, the public will surely make an inner analysis to give the song the meaning that suits it the most. This type of correlation is different for each person and is easily influenced by what we experienced during our life. I was always fascinated by Japan. In fact, I already had the pleasure to work in Italy in productions focused on the Japanese way of life like Fushikaden. This experience will be my first opportunity to export the Italian culture in Japan and I live this duty as a great honor and pleasure. I honestly believe that Nights Called Milan will be a wonderful experience.

Genius is back to Milan from Osaka. Mistero Buffo with Elisa Pistis for Urban Theatre

Postato il by Kevin Carrara

By Kevin Carrara

On 5th of May at 9 pm Elisa Pistis will bring at Corte dei Miracoli in Milan her re-interpretation of Dario Fo’s play Mistero Buffo. The performance is offered by Paolo Cacciato, director of ASG-Produzioni. Milano Genius 2019 is produced and organized by the Italian Institute of Culture in Osaka thanks to a collaboration with ASG-produzioni. Furthermore, the initiative is patronized by both the Municipalities of Milan and Osaka. In order to present to our readers the point of view of Mistero Buffo’s director, we interviewed Elisa Pistis.

What is Elisa Pistis’ Mistero Buffo and how does it relate to Dario Fo’s play?

My Mistero Buffo is of course no copy of Dario Fo’s work, rather it develops from a very simple starting point: a woman who alone stages Mistero Buffo. My re-worked version starts therefore from a feminine sensibility, that doesn’t exclude the master’s point of view, but which necessarily has a different expressive outcome.

I keep Dario Fo’s vision as a starting point when I begin to approach his texts. However, my goal is to re-elaborate the material at my best in order to perform it according to the needs of our times, which are completely different from the ones when the play was written.

How the Japanese public reacted to the show?

Japanese viewers were very focused and intrigued by the play. The public was large, very silent and respectful. One of the strengths of Mistero Buffo is its physical and gestural language, that allows the comprehension of the play even for people coming from a cultural background very different from the Italian. The work of instant translation made by the interpreter has permitted to everyone in the public to dunk themselves into the world of Mistero Buffo and enjoy it at its fullest.

What is the major insight you gained with this experience in Japan?

Surely, this experience in Japan developed my desire to expand my theatre work to all over the world. It was an opportunity of both artistic and human growth. I could see numerous performances and learn the expressive modalities of this thousand-year old nation. I was fascinated by one of Team Kabuki’s play, five hours of pure show with an active participation from the public. I was intrigued by the fact that at the end of the performance, after the drop of the curtain, the actors didn’t come out to take the well-deserved applause. The exchanges during the play between them and us, the viewers, were enough. Unlike in Italy, it is not common to thank the public and bow while waiting for the applause. So the five hours flew like in a moment and at the end of the show the exchange of emotions and regards was not needed. I dunk myself into the Japanese culture visiting less touristic places and trying to grasp some aspects of the local way of life. During my visit, I realized that few days aren’t enough to fully understand a population and its history. Instead, one should live there in order to do so. Since my work is focused on words, it was beautiful to listen their language. I took home the memory of many acoustics typical of Japanese alongside their way of greetings and playing music.

What should we expect on 5th of May in Corte dei Miracoli?

I hope to find a moment of sharing, since Mistero Buffo is a performance focused on the direct relation with the public. I like the idea to talk straight to each person attending my plays. I believe that a space like Corte dei Miracoli will be perfect in order to create the atmosphere that I seek. I hope to make people laugh lots and maybe make them shed some tears, too. I wish to transmit a part of myself in the play and leave an emotional message with the intent of making the public think while enjoying a beautiful evening together. For me it is very important that performances become a way to get in touch with people.

Milano Genius 2019: Organizers, Patronizing cities and Designers meet each other at Palazzo Marino.

Postato il by Kevin Carrara

By Kevin Carrara

The Milano Design Week represents for Milano Genius 2019 an opportunity to strengthen institutional and cultural ties between the two twinned cities of Milan and Osaka. The project, produced by the Italian Cultural Institute in Osaka and coordinated by Asian Studies Group, allowed young and talented designers to exhibit their works, selected under different themes, located to three important partners:

Take a Seat in Superstudio Group.

Design and Planet in Asian Studies Group.

Cool Japan in Corte dei Miracoli.

The joint efforts of the organizers, the patronizing cities and the partners resulted in an important event on April 8. Last Monday, the figures who have invested more in Milano Genius 2019 met with the designers involved in the project at Palazzo Marino in Milan:

Paolo Cacciato, President of Asian Studies Group.

Yuji Amamiya, General Consul of Japan in Milan.

Silvia La Ferla, Chief of the International Relations and Cooperation Development office of the city of Milan.

Gisella Borioli, CEO of Superstudio Group.

Federico Filippo Fagotto, Director of Corte dei Miracoli.

The Meeting

Paolo Cacciato, as co-organizer of the event, summarized the project Milano Genius 2019 and the value that it represents for the two twinned Municipal Cities of Osaka and Milan. He emphasized the importance that ASG has always given to creativity and young talent: he has always tried his best in order to create opportunities to express such qualities. He also pointed out already planned events in Osaka of culinary, musical and artistic nature.

During the ceremony, the guests had the pleasure to hear a speech from Yuji Amamiya, the General Consul of Japan in Milan, in which he stated how much proud he is of the project:

It has been a great joy for me and this Consolate to learn that in occasion of the Milano Design Week there would have been hold an event like this one, capable of representing a starting point for youth Japanese artists and designers and for their international activities.

Silvia La Ferla pointed out the relevance of Milano Genius in order to enforce and strengthen the relation between Milan and Osaka and how cultural and creative exchange are the foundations for a greater mutual understanding necessary to create, together, projects and tools that benefit both realities. Then, the Municipality of Milan donated to each designer some images of Milan of past years, believing that the medieval beauty of the city will help them remember the wonderful collaboration that took place here.

Federico Filippo Fagotto talked about the importance that he gives to art and creativity. Furthermore, he spoke about his pride and joy regarding the wonderful collaboration that Corte dei Miracoli found working alongside Asian Studies Group, a long-standing collaboration that began with a casual meeting between him and Paolo Cacciato. A fortuitous event full of opportunities, personal growth and mutual benefit.

Last but not least, Gisella Borioli pointed out how she started her personal relation with Japan during Osaka Expo 1970 and how her personal passion could finally be applied in a creatively and valid project. Working with Japanese designers has allowed her to absorb part of their culture while encouraging new collaborations in the future.

At the end of the institutional speeches, certificates of participation in the Milano Genius 2019 project were delivered to every designer by the individual partners. The involvement of cultural partners, city institutions and young creative people is a winning formula that benefits and brings honor to all those involved.

Nights Called Milan is not done yet. A new Duo is born in Milan.

Postato il by Kevin Carrara

By Kevin Carrara

Nights Called Milan is not only in Osaka. After the success received by the initiative in Japan, it arrives in Milan thanks to Asian Studies Group in collaboration with its artistic and theatre residence: Corte dei Miracoli. This event is one of the many occurrences realized by Milano Genius 2019 in order to enhance the relations between the two twinned cities. Milano Genius 2019 is patronized by the Municipality of Milan and produced by the Italian Cultural Institute in Osaka in collaboration with ASG-Produzioni, branch of Asian Studies Group.

Nights Called Milan will carry on its journey on the 30th of May in Milan at Corte dei Miracoli, a space not new to events of such importance and that is perfectly suited for hosting them. The experience is an opportunity for everyone involved to achieve visibility, especially for the artists Michele Gorlero and Alberto Mancini that will perform the repertoire of the most famous Milanese’s songwriters: Vecchioni, Jannacci and Gaber.

The duo has proven in Osaka how its two members work in complete harmony and respect for each other. The Japanese guests of the Swissôtel Nankai in Osaka were completely charmed by the collaboration of the two artists. They were able to easily surpass and overthrow the linguistic barrier, an achievement that only few can say to have accomplished during their career. We previously asked Michele Gorlero his thoughts regarding the Nights Called Milan’s event in Osaka. The interview can be found at the following link: Interview with Michele Gorlero.

ASG-Records, branch of Asian Studies Group, wishes to set the basis for their future success. Nights Called Milan at Corte dei Miracoli will be the perfect occasion to promote the new duo. An evening entirely focused on Milan in which Milanese artists will portrait their personal view of the beautiful city that is Milan. Soon everyone will be able to listen Michele Gorlero’s voice and Alberto Mancini’s piano from their home, since ASG-Records will record them on Spotify.

Jacopo Fo: Mistero Buffo in Osaka, discovering Italian culture and history through Commedia dell’Arte.

Postato il by SiteAdmin

1528887698-incontro-jacopo-fo

When we decided to describe italian Genius considering Milan as general frame for selection of various representations, from arts to music, including design and theatre we couldn’t ignore the role of Dario Fo for those aspects that concern Italian theatre and literature and his tribute for revival of Commedia dell’Arte into contemporary performing scenario.

We absolutely wanted to explain to japanese people how, thinking about Italy, they cannot ignore the heritage represented by Fo’s activity, in particular about one of his most important works, Mister Buffo, that was performed for the first time 50 years ago at Milan University.

The occasion has been represented by Milano Genius in Osaka (12 of April 2019) at Osaka Central Public Hall thanking the production by Italian Institute of Culture under direction by Dr. Stefano Fossati who accepted to present first ever in Osaka, Fo’s masterpiece performed by Fronda Anomala, with official distribution by ASGProductions.

With great pleasure of organisers, Jacopo Fo, Dario Fo and Franca Rame’s son, decided to send greeting’s video, focusing in particular on commitment of Elisa Pistis, for this performance in Japan member of Fronda Anomala, who is currently working hard on special version of well known Mistero Buffo.

Fo_4

Elisa is wholly involved on important new re-adjustment of Fo’s masterwork that will be followed for future performing opportunities in Asia by ASGproductions (managing direction by Paolo Cacciato) that will also present solo version by Pistis of the work on 5th of May in Milan at Corte dei Miracoli (Via Mortara 4) always as part of Milano Genius programme and special tribute to Dario Fo.

pistis solo

You can enjoy Jacopo Fo’s video contribution as follows.

Design And Planet at Asian Studies Group: Japanese approach to environmental sustainability

Postato il by nipponicus

April is the month of Design for Milano Genius 2019. The last of the themes of the Open Call, Design Made in Osaka, a project produced by Italian Institute of Culture in Osaka and coordinated by Asian Studies Group, is presented at Milano Design Week 2019 under the name of Design and Planet with a focus on the delicate but important theme of eco-sustainability.

As for the European presented in Osaka on November 3rd 2018 at the Italian Institute of Culture in Osaka, this time Milano Genius 2019 allows young Japanese designers to introduce their own work on the theme of environment and sustainability, so as to favor a renewed cultural exchange between Osaka and Milan, twin cities.

Despite the small number of projects selected for this theme, they are closely linked by two different ways of approaching the topic, with a style that reflects the difference in age and path of the artists.

The selected works will be exhibited at the colorful theatrical space of Corte dei Miracoli (Via Mortara 4, Milan) and at the Milan headquarters of Asian Studies Group (Via Eustachi 9, Milan) from 9th to 14th April partecipating to Milano Design Week 2019.

Mayumi Kuwayama with “Molecules”

Mayumi Kuwayama is a contemporary artist born in Osaka. Despite her young age she does installation art and object creation in various spaces such as hotels, shops and department stores. In collaboration with Re: fa, a Japanese company that creates innovative chairs and sofas but that also replaces them by old design pieces and fabrics, has given life to “Molecules” a chair created by the union of small fragments of recycled fabric coming from industrial and home processing.

All the pieces, joined together, like many small molecules, allow the structure of the seat to vary continuously and in an agile way, depending on how it is assembled, to satisfy the desire of personalization of each of us.

The flexibility of the work and the recycled material, assembled in a rather simple but carefully studied manner, have allowed the reuse of otherwise useless material giving them new life and new possibilities of expression.

Mayumi Kuwayama and Re: Fa have therefore given a particularly modern look to the issue of eco-sustainability. An eco-sustainability that meets the needs of contemporary man who requires customization and the possibility of changing the environment, even the seat, according to his taste.

Wataru Kurogi With “Endangered Insect”

Under a completely different perspective, the work of Wataru Kurogi, a 22-year-old student attending to design course at the Art University in Osaka, called Endangered Insect attempted to show the extraordinary beauty of some endangered species generally not advertised and welcomed by the general public.

In fact, when we think about endangered animals, we underestimate the importance and beauty of small-size animals. This is especially true for insects that most people feel disgusted with.

This project allows the audience to appreciate such species that are frequently forgotten by the public and the attention of the media rather for the large mammals featured in numerous films and documentaries.

A design that wants to attract attention and presents a theme under a different vision from the common perspective. Despite the very young age, the designer’s eyes have shown a strong ability to know and see the environment in its most intrinsic beauty, an ability usually belonging to individuals of a more advanced age. A design that therefore wants to amaze and, above all, to teach.

Two artists from two different generations who dialogue with each other and who want to emphasize the importance of eco-sustainability both in inanimate things and in animate beings.

Cool Japan at Corte dei Miracoli: Unusual Everyday Objects

Postato il by SiteAdmin

Milano Genius 2019 continues to propose high-quality artistic content and Milan Design Week 2019 happens to be the next scheduled event.

Our project, produced by the “Italian Institute of Culture in Osaka” and coordinated by “Asian  Studies Group” as far as Milan is concerned, will significantly take part during the “Design Week” from April 9th to April 14th thanks to the participation of a specially selected group of Japanese designers.

Milano Genius works with “Corte dei Miracoli” within the “Design made in Osaka” project, for one of the three themes of the event, the one named “Cool Japan”.

Differing from “Take a seat” and “Design and Planet” (respectively presented at Superstudio and ASG headquarters in Milan in the same period), “Cool Japan” deals with many artifacts created by talented Japanese artists, whose works have been selected by the organizers of the event. Afterwords the designers will have the possibility to exhibit their projects within such a prestigious event as the “Design Week”.

“Cool Japan” will allow you to appreciate contemporary works in a typically Japanese style with reference to cultural pop dimension.

The artists we are going to present now, together with Mayumi Kuwayama and her work “Molecules“, will participate on April 8th 2019 at 7.00 pm, at the “Milano Meets Osaka through Designers“, an event organized at “Corte dei Miracoli” (Via Mortara 4, Milan).

estratto milano meets osaka

It will be a special preview where you can find an official presentation and interesting themed networking.

MASAKI MURATA: TERRACE FAMILY

Product designer, he graduated from the “Sogo College of Design in Osaka”, Japan, and worked at the experimental design laboratory HERS. He then worked as a freelance product designer based in Osaka since 2010. He currently designs appliances, furniture, lighting, toys and many other products; his aim is to inspire the public through his creations.

Terrace family is the collectino that you will find at Corte dei Miracoli

MATSUMOTO ATSUSHI: BUSH

The design succeeds in combining relaxation, culture and natural elements. In his work we find an important presence of wood that forms the basis of the structure and great care in combinig materials with praticality,in order to offer a moment of relax and calm.you can also place books and magazines in the inside of the work in the name of multifunctionality so that art is not an end in itself but useful and valuable.

RYUICHI MATSUOKA: “TAKATORAYA SHIRT”

This is a piece of art drawn on paper called foil with watercolor technique; once the foil is cut (strip shape), a weaving machine creates a fabric whose pattern “rebuilds” the painting using silk thread and a piece of cloth. This Nishijin manufactured fabric is then transformed in clothes.

The top of the foil is also coated with gold leaf since the aim of the artist is to express the color and the gloss of Japan’s original painting materials.

As a result, we can appreciate the work from all perspectives: clothing brands, contemporary art, traditional crafts, Japanese culture, aesthetic and functionality.

SEISYU KAMATA: “BRUSH ART JAPAN”

Brush art uses a writing shodo brush. The “Japanese shodo” was popular long time ago and it was used to add color to a protected calligraphy. Now the aim of the artist is to establish a new culture extending the application of this technique to all the words. Beautiful kanji fonts are used to add color and the artist expresses herself with calligraphy skills. Brush art expresses softness, kindness and sometimes powerfulness. It adds an artistic point of view, gradation and multicolor use.

SHINICHI TANAKA: “THE PLAYING CARD”

These texture cards feature the embossing technique. Users can perceive information by only using the sense of touch. All information has been converted. For example black means concavity and red means convexity. The cards are double layered avoiding signs to be exposed at the back side. These features allow users to play equally, without support, even though people are not able to read braille.

Given such premises, Milano Genius 2019 continues its successful journey among culture, creativity and innovation. Now all that we have to do is wait and discover what is going to happen

TAKE A SEAT AT SUPERSTUDIO: WHEN DESIGN MEETS CULTURE AND CREATES INNOVATION

Postato il by merlinichiara

Milano Genius 2019 continues to propose high-quality artistic content and, since April is now approaching, Milan Design Week 2019 happens to be the next scheduled event .

Our project, organizedby the Italian Institute of Culture Osaka and coordinated by Asian Studies Group as far as Milan is concerned, will significantly take part during the Design Week from April 9th to April 14th thanks to the participation of a specially selected group of Japanese designers.

As already mentioned, Milano Genius works with Superstudio Group within the Design made in Osaka project, for one of the three themes of the event, the one named “Take a Seat”.

Differing from Cool Japan and Design and Planet (respectively presented at Corte dei Miracoli and ASG headquarters in Milan in the same period), Take a Seat deals with three seating artifacts created by talented Japanese artists,whose works have been selected by the organizers of the event. The three designers will then have the possibility to exhibit their projects within such a prestigious event as the Design Week.

The exhibition concerning Take a Seat will take place at the Superstudio Più location, in an area like the Tortona district, where Superstudio has given a vital contribution to its urban redevelopment, and the selected projects that will be available from April 9th are “Exist Chair” by Luna Naito, “Venation” by Mayumi Kuwayama and “With Bamboo” by A Chi x cosi = eco (formed by artists Akino Iida, Eko Yasuno and Koji Sakai).

The “Exist Chair” project has been developed by young Japanese student Luna Naito, who currently studies Design at the University of Osaka. Being her main aim that of creating artworks tightly connected to nature and capable of unconsciously attracting the audience, her project seems a sum up of her beliefs, thanks to a chair that recalls a big creature standing on its four legs.

Exist Chair by Luna Naito

In addition, the way in which it is constructed creates the illusion of the plane plate to be bent. With its simplicity in design and materials (maily wood) , the chair is not strange but still very noticeable. Also remarkable is the fact that for its assembly glues are not needed, allowing this project to be considered as an example of sustainable art.

As far as “Venation” by Mayumi Kuwayama is concerned, the main focus is the philosophy of “sustaining”. The veins in which energy is free to flow can become complex, they can sustain themselves and others too. The artwork’s theme is that  “A storm reinforces nature and all human beings are connected to nature through roots.” It doesn’t matter how strong and destructive the storm may be, the tree will always survive as human beings do. Beyond all difficulties and problems, our roots will become always stronger. Nature and human beings live together and they have been connected since forever.

Venation by Mayumi Kuwayama

The project, created using fiber of hemp and wire, shows Kuwayama’s experience in art installation and design object creation, works that she often presents in a variety of highly attended locations.

With regard to the third project, “With Bamboo” by artistic group A Chi x cosi = eco, it aims to be a piece of furniture for Landscape Design. This means that such designs are to be considered as elements that fit into the natural scenery, apart from being comfortable for our bodies. For example, bamboo forests are familiar or nostalgic for Japanese people.

In its structure, its continuing tall lines generate fresh air, allowing this project to be considered as something more than just a physical tool. Design should be friendly with nature, as well as nature is kind with human beings. The chair is also a “bamboo forest”, created with bamboo sticks from Wada city, that aims to represent a solution for the abandoned forests in Osaka.

With Bamboo by A Chi x cosi = eco

A brief explanation of the selected projects is therefore needed to allow the audience to fully understand their deep meaning and the logic behind their creation. Only a careful observer will in fact be able to appreciate the beauty that Milano Genius 2019 and Design made in Osaka offer to us during the upcoming Milan Design Week 2019.