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Yutaro Shimode's collaboration with interior designer Hisanobu Tsujimura

Joint production by gold lacquerware artist Yutaro Shimode and interior designer Hisanobu Tsujimura was displayed at the WA-QU Exhibition during Osaka Designers Week, October 31-November 4, 2002. The exhibition highlighted artwork by Kyoto-based creators under the theme of "WA (the Japanese style)" in a contemporary setup. The two began experimental collaboration in the spring of 2002.

Interviewed at the exhibition, Shimode said;

"I was impressed by interesting chemistry between stainless steel and Japanese lacquerware. For the collaborated chair, we used traditional technique of "Ikkan bari" in which an object is first covered with Japanese "washi" paper before lacquering. The chair seat is then painted with red-color lacquer and then with black-color on top. By sand-polishing the surface of the lacquered seat, the two layers of lacquer on top of rough "washi" paper leave an interesting pattern of waves. I think it is an excellent opportunity to make use of the Japanese traditional craftwork, which has developed and evolved over the years as the need arised, within the framework of the contemporary western art."

Tsujimura has chosen a special kind of "washi" paper for the collaboration. The paper, called "rakusui-shi," is made by an old method of sprinkling water while manually manufacturing paper in order to leave irregular patterns on the surface. The pattern and roughness of the paper creates a delightful motif on the lacquerware after double-lacquered and sand-polished.

"I see a vast potential in producing something really creative when combining our traditional skills with state-of-the-art materials," said Tsujimura. The two artists considered the WA-QU Exhibition as the first step toward the 2003 Milano Salone, or internationally-renowned exhibition of modern art Salone Internazionale del Mobile.

"We should be able to give a huge impact to the European market if we can find the best way to introduce the true value of the Japanese traditional arts and crafts, as well as the lifestyle," according to Tsujimura.
Direction for Milano Salone

Shigeki Nakatsuka, producer of the WA-QU Exhibition and partner of NPO Kyoto Traditional Art and Information Center for Milano Salone, said; "At the WA-QU exhibition, each artist tried to unite a bit of traditional technique and modern design in his or her work. Some were able to feel the Kyoto atmosphere in our exhibits, or a unique feeling of "WA" at Osaka Designers Week. Even the Japanese considers "WA" as something special. We consider it fundamentally important to create the right setup for objects to be presented rather than actual presentation of objects. We placed emphasis on space creation this time, and we hope to develop this idea further. Our fundamental concept for Milano Salone is the presentation of KyotoÕs traditional art and crafts in modern-day avant-garde design. We are hoping to give fresh ideas to European designers by presenting JapanÕs and KyotoÕs original arts when modern design is said to have deadlocked worldwide."

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