The team at Tha Ltd., a creative interactive design studio based in Tokyo, released an interesting product called FRAMED. FRAMED is not merely a display panel to show art. This 55″ High Definition LED display panel comes equipped with a 2.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, built-in HD camera, stereo speakers and high definition microphone for interactivity. According to Tha Ltd. FRAMED “Is a new category of interior device which allows digital art to illuminate the space with ease of hanging a painting or an art piece” and “a platform for new art forms”. FRAMED GALLERY, an online marketplace for FRAMED allows owners of the device to instantly purchase and collect exclusive artwork from artists around the world. The FRAMED display costs about ¥1.2 million JPY (over $14,000 USD) while each interchangeable piece of art being around $300 USD, depending on the piece.
Here’s a video from CSCOUT showing a demo of FRAMED.
Cogoo, a bicycle sharing service based in Tokyo, Japan created the prototype for Turntable Rider, a kit that turns any BMX bike into a DJ mix pad and instrument. The video shows Japanese pro BMX rider Kotaro, DJ BAKU, and friends creating a mix by performing tricks on their bike.
“The bike wheels, become jog wheels.
The handbrakes, become sound pads.
Mix and scratch at will.
When you begin to ride, surely a new world is waiting for you.
Now let’s share. Bicycle. Music. A new culture”
Cogoo plans on producing Turntable Rider for the masses once they reach 5900 Facebook “Likes” on their website here.
Gucci’s new blog “HAND” features videos introducing master craftsmen of Japan in an attempt to uncover the tradition of craftsmanship in Japan and a need to protect the skills that have been passed down through generations. Gucci will continue introducing craftsmen of different genres throughout 2012. Videos are only in Japanese.
Japanese artist Takashi Murakami was commissioned by Google to produce today’s Google doodle which was put up on their homepage today for the summer solstice.
The multicolored Japanese anime-inspired illustration titled, “The First Day of Summer,” involves flowery bursts around the heads of Murakami’s funky characters shown above.
Murakami’s doodle represents the date of the summer solstice, but the doodle’s title is somewhat misleading – the solstice is not the first day of summer but rather the longest day in summer. Anyhow, Google has done us a big big favor by fulfilling the world’s daily need for Kawaii and glimpses of an acid trip for summer solstice. Thanks!
Also if you live in the southern hemisphere, this very same day could have been the winter solstice. Winter Solstice version below in Murakami’s doodle for Google Brazil.
Photo: Google Brazil
SPECS
year : 2011
material : Brass . Iron(brass plating)
size : W500mm x D300mm x H400mm
weight : 1.7kg
Created as an instrument, ‘pendulum sound machine’ subverts a record player’s rotation to make noise with 16 plate-hitting pendulums. the brass-plated pendulums rest on original phonograph record with no grooves, and as the record turns, the pendulums move and hit the plates overhead.
Multiple machines can be used in tandem, creating different tones with plates of various sizes.
Date : June 13 - June 19, 2011
Location : 2-13-15, Hiroo, Shibuya-ku,Tokyo
While Made with Japan continues Art Drive Japan online charity auction for Tohoku at http://www.artdrivejapan.com , there are other ongoing and upcoming events which we will make efforts to cover here on our news page so stay tuned.
Futur Culture proudly presents the first edition of the their festival in a private home in Hiroo, Tokyo, from June 13 until June 19.
Futur Cultur is dedicated to show the positive power of art, film, sound, print, fashion and food to a greater audience and will do so with exhibitions, live screen printing, Magazine Library, a mini film festival, Charity Flea Market, a food art project and a special event night - all in a private home. It wants to create a platform for artists, designers, filmmakers and other creative people.
The festival will be dedicated to our Tohoku neighbors who have lost their homes in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and the tsunami. All proceeds with be donated to the Tohoku region. Futur Cultur welcome everyone to their home to support Tohoku!
On 3.11.2011 an insurmountable earthquake of magnitude 9.0 hits the northeast shore of Japan.
The fourth largest earthquake in the world, the largest one yet in Japan.
The earthquake was followed by a tsunami, hundreds of aftershocks, and a nuclear crisis at hand due to damaged nuclear reactors in Fukushima.
The death-count and number of people missing exceeds 27,000.
Damage estimates up to $309 billion, the largest ever caused by a natural disaster.
We would like to express our deepest condolences to those who have been taken by this disaster. We hope that those who survived will be strong enough to carry on with the reconstruction of Japan. In this time of need, we established Art Drive Japan to stand by these people to help restore their well-being and their communities.
What is Art Drive Japan charity art auction?
Art Drive Japan is an online auction of work donated by artists from around the world, joining hands to contribute to the relief and recovery efforts in Japan. By purchasing our creations, you are joining us and many others in our cause.
Art Drive Japan was established to encourage continued support for the earthquake-tsunami victims. The funds raised will help the physical recovery over the coming months and years. In addition, your participation will send a very positive message to the people of Japan, letting them know that the world continues to cheer for them.
100% of the proceeds (final sales minus transaction fees) will be donated to the Japan NGO Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund administered by JCIE Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) to help Japan recover from the catastrophic earthquake that took place on March 11, 2011.
Art Drive Japanは、2011年3月11日に日本を襲った未曾有の東北関東大震災で被災された方々を応援しようという、アーティストたちによるオンラインオークションです。私たちの作品をお買い上げいただくことで、被災地の支援につながります。
売り上げは、クレジットカード決済の手数料を除いて、日本国際交流センター（JCIE）が設立した「東日本大震災 NGO支援国際基金」を通じて、全て被災地に義捐金として寄付いたします。
Art Drive Japanの任務
Art Drive Japanの目的は、2011年3月11日に起こった東北関東大震災で被害に遭われた方々のために、義捐金を送ることです。日本の記録では史上最大規模と なるマグニチュード９．０という大地震は、戦後もっとも大きな災害となりました。日本政府やメディアは既に、多数の被災者、また経済への打撃を報告してい ます。今後、日本に住む皆さんが、被災地復興に向けて強い力を発揮できることを祈っています。
Hello everyone. Made with Japan continue to hope that all of you and your loved ones are safe as well as hope that the situation in Japan will only get better.
As many of you may have already heard, Made with Japan has been holding a charity t-shirt campaign to help aid in the relief efforts of the earthquake. We thank those of you who donated through us or directly to a charitable organization.
However, we are now working to start and be a part of something greater as we would like to make contributions in the largest way possible. We are currently calling the help of artists, fashion designers, crafts people all around the world to participate in an online charity auction project we named “Art Drive” Japan. We will launch as soon as we have works ready to be auctioned so please standby. I wish that you and your friends will join us.
-Allan (Made with Japan)
“ART DRIVE” Japan is an online auction of works donated by artists who have joined hands in order to contribute to the relief and future recovery efforts of Japan. By purchasing our art, you are working together with the artists to benefit this cause.
100% proceeds aside from transaction fees by paypal will be donated to the Japan Red Cross in order to help Japan recover from the catastrophic earthquake which took place on March 11, 2011.
We have contacted artists to come to the rescue and will open the auction once their artwork is ready. In the meantime please share this information along to those who might be interested. We hope that all of you will reach out to lend a helping hand. ARTISTS: If you are an artist and would like to get involved, you can start by pledging your artwork to [pledge.artdrive @ gmail.com] or by going here http://www.artdrivejapan.com/artist-contact/. We will consider and review all inquiries to all forms of art including but not limited to fashion, crafts, prints, photography, et cetera.
JAPAN EARTHQUAKE - “GENKIDAMA” Saves the world, please click!
Weekly manga publisher Shueisha teams up with Toriyama Akira, the legendary manga and anime creator behind all-time favorites such as the Dragon Ball series and Dr. Slump Arare posted a Youtube video message to call support for the victims of the earthquake in Japan.
All you have to do is watch the video and money will be donated for the relief effort. Click the link below.
This is a resource page on ways you can help support the Japan earthquake relief effort. We hope that you will let your friends know about it as well. Together, we can make a difference.
UPDATE 3/17/2011:
Made with Japan has been holding a charity t-shirt campaign from this page to help aid in the relief efforts of the earthquake. The $425.49 raised through this campaign was donated to the American Red Cross. We are ending this campaign and thank those of you who donated through us or directly to a charitable organization.
However, we are now working hard to be a part of something greater because we would like to make contributions in the largest ways possible and extend help for the long-term recovery. We are calling the help of artists, fashion designers, crafts people all around the world to participate in the online charity auction initiative, “Art Drive” Japan. I wish that you and your friends will join us. http://www.artdrivejapan.madewithjapan.com
Hi everybody. As most of you may know already, the devastating effects of the largest recorded earthquake in recent history of Japan, continues to injure and take the lives of many. There is no doubt that aid is needed right now during the aftermath.
As a way to help, 100% of profits from all sales of Made with Japan hand-printed t-shirts will be contributed to organizations directly involved in the earthquake and tsunami relief effort. I hope that our support will make a difference, as well as raise more awareness that everybody’s contributions even in the smallest amount will make a huge difference collectively. Remember, a million people contributing a mere $1 becomes a million dollars, $2 becomes $2 million.
To make this as simple as possible for you, the t-shirts are priced at $35 including shipping and taxes. The actual shipping costs will vary and we will subtract that amount as well as other costs from the donation . If you wish to make additional contributions, you may do so by clicking the “Additional Donations” button.
All payments are securely processed through PayPal. All major credit cards acccepted.
However please remember, the people in need will benefit more if you donate DIRECTLY to reputable organizations. It’s faster that way, and the money won’t get wasted in costs, transaction fees, and shipping. In all honesty, we urge you to do this rather than donate through Made with Japan. Please comment below to share yours thoughts and what you’ve done to help.
UPDATE: PLEASE BEWARE OF FAKE CHARITIES AND SCAMS ON THE INTERNET
It’s sad but true, there are lurking con artists that will try to capitalize on the goodwill of sincere people like you who are looking to help. The FBI has issued a scam warning for Japanese disaster.
With that said, we encourage that you make donations only to reputable organizations that we know the money will be used for the proposed purpose. If you wish to donate directly, below is a list of trusted relief organizations.
HOW TO SUPPORT JAPAN RELIEF EFFORTS
Make a difference by donating to Japan relief efforts.
You can check which organizations are reliable yourself here. http://charitynavigator.org/
The Red Cross
Accepting donations online and via text messages. To donate $10 to support their relief efforts, simply text REDCROSS to 90999 or visit them
Raise awareness (free) Everybody can help without any cost to you. Please share this page or any other reliable resources to encourage people to help support the 2011 Japan earthquake relief.
If you are part of social networks such as facebook or twitter, or are part of an organization with a mailing list, please share resource pages such as this to raise awareness on how your contacts can help in the effort as well.
HELPFUL SERVICES AND WEBSITES Please share information here that you find relevant.
Free Interpretation Service
Free telephone service to interpret English, Chinese, Korean available 24 hours a day. Portuguese and Spanish from 9:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m.. this isn’t an emergency information service.
Google Person Finder for 2011 Japan Earthquake
If you are looking for someone in Japan and currently can’t make contact or would like to leave information about someone.
http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=en
Crisis Response
Google providing the information regarding the disaster and damage with realtime updates.
http://www.google.co.jp/intl/en/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html
NHK TV messaging service
If you want to send a message to someone where all phone lines are down, NHK will broadcast your message on their TV service. The numbers on which to place your message are 03 5452 8800, or 050 3369 9680.
Facebook App to instantly see status update of your friends in Japan
Use this app to see at one glance the latest status update of all of your friends who have their current location set to Japan.
このアプリはFacebook上の居住地を日本国内に設定している友達の最新の近況を一覧表示させます。
http://keito.me/safety/
地震ニュース生中継NHK公式放送。(日本語) http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nhk-gtv
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nhk-gtv2 ←iPhone/iPad対応です
I would like to re-emphasize that, our ultimate goal is to maximize aid and minimize casualties. I sincerely urge you to share this and any other organizations for the same cause with your family and friends in your networks. http://bit.ly/eFjK3u
We as citizens of our planet collectively hold the potential to make the impossible possible, or the possible impossible.
The choice is ours and it can all start with the choice you make.
-Made with Japan
Please not that we will be shipping these items only once a week so please be patient while your order is being processed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
All sizes are mens but smaller and more fitted than your average mens t-shirts. All sales are final.
One of the most influential street-wear labels of this decade to come out of Japan, A Bathing Ape, will be sold to Hong Kong clothing company, I.T. Ltd.. It made the news this past week that a 90% stake of Nowhere Co., the parent company of BAPE will be sold for a mere $2.8 million, an amount Nigo has easily spent on his collection of toys. What’s going on?
BAPE was founded by Nigo (Tomoaki Nagao) in 1993, starting out as a small shop on a discrete location in one of Tokyo’s Harajuku backstreets. Nigo and Jun Takahashi, of the popular collection brand UNDERCOVER, started out here at a storefront they named Nowhere. They soon parted their ways to take the respective brands solo.
Quickly gaining a cult following, Nigo was able to maintain an underground image for BAPE even after reaching mainstream success and sold his brand to the masses on exclusivity by producing his designs in very limited quantities. Crowds of Bape-heads would wrap around the block to get their hands on a rare BAPE item.
This didn’t last forever though. BAPE’s popularity in Japan faded away as Nigo embarked on an expansion frenzy starting second-lines of BAPE, a cafe, art gallery, hair salon and reaching as far as branding commodity items like condoms. The BAPE logo and signature camouflage print were literally everywhere! These moves were part of Nigo’s vision to make BAPE a “lifestyle brand”, a concept which has been successfully implemented by brands like Ralph Lauren to a more mature audience. For BAPE, the consumers were beginning to feel the water-down effect.
However, the mid 2000’s was a turning point for BAPE as influences of hip-hop culture on Nigo came to the forefront and changed the way BAPE marketed themselves. BAPE was then embraced by American hip hop icons such as Kanye West and Pharrell Williams which took BAPE to another level of international success.
So why the low price on the sale of Nigo’s empire of apes? According to the Wall Street Journal, Nowhere Co. had been suffering huge losses these past few years. “For the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2010, its net loss was 119 million yen, slightly better than a loss of 267.4 million yen the previous year. The company had liabilities totaling 1.03 billion yen in the year ended August 31.” (WSJ) The grand total racks up to a debt of ¥2.6 billion, the loan for it which will be guaranteed by I.T..
Nigo has agreed to stay as the creative director of Nowhere for two years, focusing on product design, brand direction and image development. It will be interesting to see what I.T. will do to try and put A BATHING APE in the black again, and even more interesting to see what moves Nigo will make after his two years are up.
“Like us” on Facebook to support this independent project
“Yohji Yamamoto - My Dear Bomb” will be the first ever published biography of the Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto. Based in Tokyo and Paris, Yohji Yamamoto is best known internationally for his avant-garde clothing lines and redefining fashion since his Paris runway debut in 1981. Together with colleagues such as Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons) and Issey Miyake (ISSEY MIYAKE), there is no doubt that Yohji Yamamoto is one of the most influential designers of the twentieth century.
According to the press release from Ludion, “this will be an unique opportunity to discover his philosophy as a man as well as a fashion designer.” Yohji Yamamoto abandons the chronological format of most autobiographies and begins with a series of short fictions interwoven with his memories and inspirations, followed by a philosophical essay discussing the “Japanese elements in Yohji Yamamoto.” The book’s total of 200 pages will be filled with 100 of Yohji Yamamoto’s illustrations and hand drawings. After being mesmerized by all of this, the book closes with a timeline of his life including photos never seen before.
Published in English, Japanese, French, and Chinese. Available December 2010.
ハイファッションブランド「Yohji Yamamoto」や「Y’s」を立ち上げ、Adidas (Y3)やHermèsなどとコラボもしてきたデザイナー、山本耀司。1981年のパリデビュー以来、世界のファッションに深い印象を与え続けてきたこの彼が、初自叙伝「山本耀司- MY DEAR BOMB」を2011年12月に発売予定。
ベルギーの出版社Ludionによると、「山本耀司- MY DEAR BOMB」のポイントはタイムライン形式の自叙伝だけでわないとこ。山本耀司さんの思い出やインスピレーションも込めてあるフィクションシリーズから始まり、「山本耀司にある日本のエレメント」と彼の哲学を語るエッセイに続く。その他、オリジナルな絵やイラストが100かかれている。最後に今までの人生と歴史のアウトライン、写真付きで閉まります。
山本耀司の独特なカリスマ性、アバンギャルドな精神、そして生きてきた道に興味ある方は CHECK IT OUT。
英語、日本語、フランス語、中国語で公開。
Written by Yohji Yamaoto & Ai Mitsuda
Softcover
15 x 22cm
200 pages
100 illustrations
October 2010
ISBN 978-90-5544-979-8 EN
ISBN 978-90-5544-983-5 FR
Our Sunae artist Naoshi will be in Los Angeles this weekend at Barker Hangar as part of Sanrio’s 50th Anniversary celebration event. Inspired by their “small gift, big smile” philosophy, Sanrio’s Small Gift event will offer a multi-dimensional experience for fans of all ages featuring a character product retrospective, pop-up shop, interactive activities and special event programming, in a carnival theme. Curated by Jamie Rivadeneira, owner of JapanLA, Small Gift Los Angeles will showcase works by 50 artists including Naoshi’s on exhibition in eleven unique installation rooms. Artists will transform their favorite Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty®, Little Twin Stars®, My Melody®, Patty & Jimmy™, Tuxedosam™, Keroppi®, Badtz-Maru®, Chococat® and many more into stunning original works that will be available for sale to the public.
As a special feature in the event, Naoshi will be conducting a special Sunae Workshop on 11/13/2010 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Everyone who joins will learn how to make Sunae and additionally walk out with their very own Sanrio inspired Sunae. Registration is required. (details below)
「Small Gift」- サンリオの５０周年記念
Los Angelesで行われるサンリオ５０周年記念イベント、「SMALL GIFT」に砂絵アーティストナオ氏が参加。世界中からサンリオに選ばれたアーティスト５０人。描いた絵はイベントのインスタレーションに展示されるサンリオのキャラクターとのコラボ作品。
その５０人の中に選ばれたナオ氏は、13日の13:00から15:00まで砂絵ワークショップも行います。
L.A.にいる方は是非来て下さい！
Sunae Workshop by Naoshi
November 13, 2010 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Barker Hangar
3021 Airport Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Noiz-Davi working the wall on a music video for a j-pop band called Half-Life. Nice work Noiz! …and the guitar riff is stuck in my head from watching the video over and over. heeeee haaawww.
MWJ member Yuki Aoyama releases his second photobook, “Schoolgirl Complex” featuring work from his Canon Excellence Award winning series “UNDERCOVER.” This series expresses nostalgia and the sweet/sour eroticism from the point of view of a Japanese adolescent boy. 160 pages, all full color pictures, ¥1,880 (including tax).
Also proudly announcing “Schoolgirl Complex” reached 3rd in the books category on Amazon Japan!
Date : June 13 - June 19, 2011
One of the most influential street-wear labels of this decade to come out of Japan, A Bathing Ape, will be sold to Hong Kong clothing company, I.T. Ltd.. It made the news this past week that a 90% stake of Nowhere Co., the parent company of BAPE will be sold for a mere $2.8 million, an amount Nigo has easily spent on his collection of toys. What’s going on?
