2011.01.21
Toshiyuki Kita exhibited at Maison & Objet, an international trade fair in Paris. There he gathered together works he has created over a span of more than 40 years along with traditional craftsmen and artisans in local industries, introducing them under the name of “Kita’s.” Kitchen items such as the Hana Series of tableware and Cooki kettle were particularly popular, and much attention was also paid to his Japanese paper lamps (Awabi and the new work Bonbo) and furniture (the Hotei and Sakura tables). 2011.1.21（Fri）～25（Tue） Venue: Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre Sponsored by SAFI
Toshiyuki Kita was invited to exhibit at the Governor Cup Guangdong Industrial Design Week as part of the Guangdong Industrial Design Activity Week in China. Visitors learned about Kita’s design sense by touching and experiencing the exhibited works. Wakamaru was especially popular, and many people visited this lively exhibition. Venue: Guangzhou Poly World Trade Expo Center Sponsored by Guangdong Industrial Design Group, Guangdong Industrial Design Association Governor Cup Guangdong Industrial Design Week website http://gdidweek.gd-id.com/
2010.11.13
By utilizing Wajima-Noto’s 1,000 years old dry lacquer techniques, Kamata Katsuji’s endeavor of pursuing the creativity of this art, his lacquer ware is very popular these days, and it is said that he has seems to attain a style of his own lacquer technique at last. His tableware made to “being-used” for any occasions of our modern lifestyle, he will present newly created varieties of nested boxes and spoons. VENUE : November 13th (Sat) – December 5th (Sun), 2010 at Sasayama Gallery KITA’S. Sasayama Gallery KITA’S Seminar No.2 “Talk Session: Katsuji Kamata x Toshiyuki Kita” VENUE : November 27th (Sat), 2010 14:00 – 15:00 at Sasayama Gallery KITA’S 2F … Read more
2010.10.09
As one of the oldest pottery of Japan, Tamba Pottery has 800 years of history. With the collaboration of potters who inherits those mainstream tradition, gave rise to the TAMBA series of tableware. Along with tableware that was displayed at March of this year 2010 at the gallery’s opening ceremony, new items will also be presented. VENUE : October 9th (Sat) – October 31st (Sun), 2010 at Sasayama Gallery KITA’S. Sasayama Gallery KITA’S Seminar No.1 “Talk Session: TAMBA Pottery Craftsmen x Toshiyuki Kita” VENUE : October 31st (Sun), 2010 14:00 – 15:00 at Sasayama Gallery KITA’S 2F The main items of Tamba pottery has always been tableware for everyday … Read more
Toshiyuki Kita will hold an individual exhibition titled “Timeless Future” at the China (Shunde) International Industrial Design Expo in Shunde, China, where design is making great advances. His works showcasing the concept of the “near future,” shown through a blend of the tradition and technologies that Kita employs, will be exhibited in one building. Venue: Shunde Exhibition Center, Hall2-Masters and Designs, Guangdong, China
2010.04.14
Toshiyuki Kita will hold a solo exhibition entitled “Timeless Future” at the Triennale di Milano as part of Saloni Milano 2010. His works will showcase the concept of the “near future,” shown through a blend of the tradition and technologies that Kita employs. 2010.4.14（Wed）～19（Mon） Venue: Triennale di Milano Viale Alemagna 6, Milan, Italy
“Conté” series , sofa and low table were featured from Meritalia. Period : Apr.14-19, 2010 Venue : Meritalia showroom, Via durini 23, Milan Italy Cocktail Party : Apr. 16, 2010; 19:00 – 22:00 Venue : Meritalia showroom
“TOUCH” , door handle was featured from the Italian furniture maker FEG. Period : Apr.14-19, 2010 Trade fair venue : Fiera Milano Rho-Pero, Strada Statale del Sempione 28, Milan PAD.5 – STAND H09 L06
2010.03.18
Shinichi Nagami ponders as he gathers the wood splinters and chips in the studio, “Sometimes I think I can hear all the wood chips talking to me. Perhaps because of the long years I have spent with them, they cheerfully and casually talk to me, and it is out of that fun and enjoyable conversation with woods that I’m able to create these works”, he says. These emotions and faces of wood works are the product of their communications with woods. We hope you will enjoy their voices from his works as well at the exhibition. VENUE : March 18th (Thu) – April 2nd (Fri), 2010 at Gallery anima. Handicraft … Read more
The Japan Creative Centre in Singapore is a new facility that serves as a base to transmit Japanese culture to the rest of the world, and is constructed from historic buildings that have been remodeled. With a library and a gallery that introduces Japanese culture, the Japan Creative Centre will also share information internationally via its website. In his role as director of this project, Toshiyuki Kita supervised the facilities as a whole, including their visual aspects, and also produced the opening exhibition.
2009.07.26
An exhibition gathering together Kita’s work that depicts the future will be held in Shanghai, China. Shanghai is a city that has come to embody “the future” through its remarkable development in recent years. The wide variety of exhibited “KITA DESIGN” items includes chairs that have been chosen for the permanent collections of museums worldwide (including the Museum of Modern Art, New York), near-future household robots and electronic appliances, and new pieces that were shown for the first time at I Saloni Milano 2009. “Daily use items” perfect for modern lifestyles that were born from a fusion with high quality traditional crafts, featuring lighting fixtures, tableware, the “Ceremony Space” tea … Read more
2009.04.22
“NEW TOKI” is part of the 2009 Meritalia Collection from Meritalia, which features work by six designers. Period: Apr. 22（Wed） – 27（Mon）, 2009 Venue: Meritalia Showroom, Via Durini, 23, Milan Trade fair venue: PAD.5 1F STAND C11 D08 h. 9.30 – 18.30 Opening party: Apr. 24（Fri） h. 19.00 – 22.00 Venue: Meritalia Showroom
2009.04.22
KITA. FUTURE DELIGHT, based on the theme of “light that illuminates a bright future,” is focused on lighting equipment that employs the promising new technology of OLED. Featuring a wide variety of materials and designs, this lighting equipment is also made to be sustainable and environmentally-friendly. 2009.04.22（Wed）～27（Mon） GALLERIA IL CASTELLO, via Brera 16, Milano COCKTAIL：04.22 19:00-22:00 PRESS PREVIEW：04.22 17:00-19:00
This one-man exhibition was held at a brand new gallery in Taipei. Daily goods, lighting equipment, and items produced by local industry were displayed, centered on the theme of “a wonderful lifestyle.” This exhibition received a great deal of attention, and the opening was attended by local media and designers.
2009.04.10
Odawara Hakone’s wooden mosaic parquetry called “Yosegi-zaiku”, this traditional handicraft is made by the 6 members of Zoukibayashi: Kiyotaka Tsuyuki, Eiji Shinoda, Yuuki Ishikawa, Ken Ohta, Yuhei Kojima and Yuta Shimizu, who has inherited the generations of traditional artistry and craftsmanship, will be displaying their latest Yosegi-zaiku products. This traditional handicraft was very popular during the Edo-period among the travelers passing across the steep mountainous path of Hakone, which is once again revived today. (Support: Kanagawa Industrial Technology Center) VENUE : April 10th (Fri) – 25th (Sat), 2009 at Gallery anima Handicraft Seminar No.23 “Rhythm of Wood” “Talk Session: Tsuyuki Kiyotaka (Tsuyuki Wood Factory) x Toshiyuki Kita” VENUE : April … Read more
2009.02.13
By utilizing Wajima-Noto’s 1,000 years old dry lacquer techniques, Kamata Katsuji’s endeavor of pursuing the creativity of this art, his lacquer ware is very popular these days, and it is said that he has seems to attain a style of his own lacquer technique at last. His tableware made to “being-used” for any occasions of our modern lifestyle, he will present newly created varieties of nested boxes and spoons. VENUE : February 13th (Fri) – 28th (Sat), 2009 at Gallery anima. Handicraft Seminar No.21 “Dry Lacquer Talks” “Talk Session: Katsuji Kamata x Toshiyuki Kita” VENUE : February 13th (Fri), 2009 18:00 – 19:00 at Gallery anima Painting and overlaying multifold … Read more
Ever since the Port of Kobe was opened, the lifestyle industry in Kobe has fused international and Japanese culture into a unique and well-known “Kobe brand” that includes apparel, furniture, confectionery, pearls, and coffee. Many tasteful, high quality lifestyle products are made in Kobe, a pleasant place to live that is surrounded by mountains and ocean and blessed with a beautiful natural environment. This project involved ten exceptional craft companies from Kobe, who kept Kobe’s identity in mind as they worked to develop a new tasteful and high-quality “Kobe brand.”
Yosegi (mosaic woodwork patterned) crafts from Odawara and Hakone have been beloved souvenirs of the Hakone region since the Edo period. This project combines the skillful techniques and wisdom that have been passed down through generations of craftspeople with modern, internationally-minded items made by contemporary young craftsmen who draw upon hundreds of years of history. It is also an attempt to transform high-quality sensibilities into a local brand.
As from the exhibition theme, we can virtually see how the Edo period people lived a rich lifestyle just by looking at their strong and lively modern works of a traditional crafts with long history. VENUE : January 14th (Wed) – February 4th (Wed), 2009 at Gallery anima. Handicraft Seminar No.20 “Edo’s Takumi(Master Craftsman) Techniques” “Talk Session: Tsuyoshi Isogai (Tortoiseshell) / Akira Iwasaki (Framer) / Tadayuki Okubo (Edo Glass Kiriko) / Eifu Kawamata (Wooden Casks) / Keiichi Nakamura (Tinsmith) x Toshiyuki Kita” VENUE : January 14th (Wed), 2009 18:00 – 19:00 at Gallery anima From the Koutou-ku Traditional Crafts Association’s members, traditional craftsman of tortoiseshell, framing, Edo glass kiriko, … Read more
2008.12.08
Ever since its start up from 1984, Reiko Sudo of NUNO has worked with traditional Japanese dyers from various parts of Japan, and there is a special textile that she is working on since 2007. Using “kibiso”, raw waste silk threads from cocoons. Textile made from kibiso is said to be high in moisture retention, ultraviolet absorbtion and antioxidation, and is used as skin care ingredient. In this exhibition, natural and ecological daily use goods made with kibiso are presented. VENUE : December 8th (Mon) – 25th (Thu), 2008 at Gallery anima. Handicraft Seminar No.19 “Talking about Textiles” “Talk Session: Reiko Sudo (Textile Designer) x Toshiyuki Kita” VENUE : December … Read more
2008.05.14
Kazuko Koyasu’s bags are highly refined, beautiful form with functionality. Using only selected materials, cogitated ideas to the detail, they are truly original in design and timeless fashion. VENUE : May 14th (Wed) – June 3rd (Tue), 2008 at Gallery anima. Handicraft Seminar No.12 “Talking about Bags” “Talk Session: Kazuko Koyasu x Toshiyuki Kita” VENUE : May 14th (Wed), 2008 18:00 – 19:00 at Gallery anima Kazuko Koyasu will talk with Toshiyuki Kita about her VAGRIÉ brand’s design concept, materials, etc.
2008.04.16
This individual exhibition was based on the theme of the near future and dealt with the idea of incorporating natural materials into daily life. Kita exhibited comfortable furniture ideally suited to our living spaces and lifestyle that paid special attention to the superior natural qualities of wood and also incorporated recyclable aluminum. The main material used is “kitayama-sugi” cedar from Kyoto, which has been prized as a high class material and used for over 600 years in tea houses and “sukiya” style architecture. The impressively formed trees, known for their straight trunks, can be considered a work of art in themselves. Rather than just cutting down the tree, master craftsmen … Read more
An event held in honor of Cassina’s 80th anniversary. Along with works up until now, prototypes and studio models were displayed, as well as a collection of the voices, pieces, sketches, and designs produced by 26 teams of architects and designers who have had a large influence on Cassina’s history. Toshiyuki Kita’s WINK chair was also displayed along with an explanation of its ground-breaking internal structure.
2008.04.16
Kita exhibited his “TOKI Collection” sofas from MERITALIA, a company in Coma, Italy that has been producing high-end furniture with famous designers since 1987. 2008.04.16（Wed）～21（Mon） VIA DURINI
Kita exhibited his hanger “GORO” from FOPPAPEDRETTI, a company in Brescia, Italy that has been making mainly wooden furniture and daily goods since 1946, and his television stand “GRANTEATRO.” The superb quality is greatly acclaimed among Italian housewives.
Kita collaborated with SANYO to create “SUNPLANT,” an installation using eneloop batteries, at the GREEN ENERGY DESIGN event sponsored by Interni. This exhibition realized the possibility of portable energy by changing solar energy into battery energy. The aim was, through a fusion of design and technology, to make our daily lives more pleasant and environmentally friendly. A display in the La Rinascente department store show window at Duomo was also held along with this event.
Kita collaborated with SANYO to create “SUNPLANT,” an installation using eneloop batteries, at the GREEN ENERGY DESIGN event sponsored by Interni. This exhibition realized the possibility of portable energy by changing solar energy into battery energy. The aim was, through a fusion of design and technology, to make our daily lives more pleasant and environmentally friendly. A display in the La Rinascente department store show window at Duomo was also held along with this event.
“imm cologne” is an international furniture trade fair held in Cologne, Germany. Representative pieces from the world market, from luxury furniture to classic and interior furniture, are displayed in the approximately 300,000 square meter venue, predicting the direction 2008 will take. Kita presented his new work “MOE” from the German company La Nuova Casa-Munchen. In addition to possessing an organic form, this work’s special feature is that the back, elbow rests, side table, etc. can be freely rearranged as desired. A range of form variations are available, with a wide variety of surfaces and colors to choose from.
A solo exhibition held at a gallery sponsored by a German interior shop in the center of Munich. This exhibition included traditional craft items, lamps that incorporated technology, and sofas by interior makers. Many local designers and members of the press attended the opening where food was presented on Arita-yaki.
“SARUYAMA,” released in 1967, became one of the MOROSO company’s most well known products. The new work “SARUYAMA ISLAND” features five types of shapes that can be recombined to fit room size and use. A wide variety of surfaces, materials, and colors can be chosen to match a given space.
2007.04.18
An exhibition on the theme of “tradition towards the future” that was held at a gallery in Brera, an area in the center of Milan. The call to take 38 years of traditional skill and knowledge and bring it into the future drew much attention from many people and the worldwide media, and over 600 people crowded into the opening. 2007年4月18日（Thu）～23日（Mon） GALLERIA IL CASTELLO
“MOTOKO,” released by BERNINI, is table whose use is not limited by the number of people. The legs are covered with soft, real leather, and because the chair back angle is adjustable, it is easy to relax and enjoy after-dinner conversation. The chairs are also covered in real leather.
