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So Koizumi Solo Exhibition
Art & Design
Tokyo-based designer So Koizumi (SO KOIZUMI DESIGN) presents his inaugural solo exhibition at the gallery es quart, showcasing a collection of experimental furniture pieces that challenge conventional perspectives on materiality and function.
The exhibition marks a significant milestone for SO KOIZUMI DESIGN, which has gained international recognition since its establishment in 2021, including a notable debut at ALCOVA MILANO earlier this year. The studio's practice spans spatial design and furniture creation, characterized by an experimental methodology that challenges conventional design paradigms.
Located in the historic Senzoku district of Taito-ku, the exhibition features four major works that demonstrate Koizumi's innovative approach to design: Fossilized Future, SEVEN, Polysemy, and Urut. Each piece reflects his distinctive methodology of merging conceptual thinking with material experimentation.
The exhibition's centerpiece, "Fossilized Future," presents a radical reimagining of contemporary furniture through the lens of archaeological discovery. This collection employs an innovative material composition that Koizumi developed through extensive experimentation with locally-sourced components.
Koizumi has created what he terms 'contemporary soil' - a composite material that incorporates discarded organic matter such as rice husks, coffee grounds, and vegetable waste, alongside minerals and charcoal. This material investigation is complemented by the use of timber from local forests affected by oak wilt disease, creating a narrative about resource utilization and environmental consciousness.
Each piece is sculpted using a chainsaw, a process that mirrors archaeological discoveries. "The process of cutting through these blocks with a chainsaw becomes an act of excavation," explains Koizumi. "Each cut reveals new layers and textures, capturing the temporal relationship between present-day materials and their potential future fossilized state."
Fossilized Future
SEVEN
SEVEN, a wind chime installation, employs tensegrity principles to explore themes of balance and instability. The piece responds to environmental forces, transforming subtle movements into harmonious sounds that fill the gallery space. This dynamic installation serves as a metaphor for contemporary social conditions, reflecting the delicate equilibrium between stability and change.
The exhibition also features "Polysemy," a transformative furniture piece that challenges traditional notions of functionality. This adaptable object can be configured into various forms, from bookshelf to side table, exemplifying Koizumi's interest in user engagement and spatial interaction.
Through this work, Koizumi subverts the conventional designer-user hierarchy, creating opportunities for individual interpretation and creative usage that enriches the relationship between object and environment.
Polysemy
Completing the exhibition is Urut, an evocative incense and candle holder that draws profound inspiration from Koizumi's time studying in Helsinki, particularly his visits to local churches. The piece's name, derived from the Finnish word for "organ," reflects both its visual composition and conceptual foundation. Like its musical namesake, Urut creates a harmonious arrangement through multiple elements: a system of elegantly proportioned pipes and a complementary storage case, each crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
The design's sophistication lies in its thoughtful interaction with light and smoke. When in use, candlelight plays across the metallic surfaces of the case, creating subtle reflections that animate the piece. Meanwhile, incense smoke gracefully ascends along the vertical pipes, mimicking the solemn atmosphere of ecclesiastical spaces. This careful orchestration of sensory elements - visual, olfactory, and spatial - transforms the simple act of burning incense into a contemplative ritual, offering users a moment of tranquility amid their daily routines.
The exhibition at es quart gallery represents a significant moment in Koizumi's career, offering a comprehensive view of his material investigations and philosophical approach to design. Through this collection of works, the designer demonstrates how contemporary objects can serve as bridges between present realities and future possibilities, while challenging our understanding of functionality and user interaction.
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More detailed information on the So Koizumi’s solo exhibition can be found via this website.
Urut
Photography by Yuichiro Kawabata & SO KOIZUMI DESIGN
Art & Design
- 转自：New Norm
- 图片©New Norm
- 编辑：序赞网
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