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NEW LIFESTYLE & DESIGN

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.

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2009.04.10

Zoukibayashi – Odawara-Hakone’s “Yosegi-zaiku” (Wooden Mosaic Parquetry)

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

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2009.02.13

Katsuji Kamata – Exhibition of Dry Lacquer Tableware

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

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Design Runaissance KOBE

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.”

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Odawara Hakone “Yosegizaiku Project”

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.

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Edo’s Seven Craftsman Exhibition

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

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2008.12.08

NUNO – kibiso Reiko Sudo Exhibition

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

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2008.05.14

VAGRIÉ – Kazuko Koyasu Exhibition

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.

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2008.04.16

Milano Salone 2008 Fuori Salone”Nature e Tecnologia”

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

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Milano Salone 2008 Fuori Salone”Made in Cassina”

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.  

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2008.04.16

Milano Salone 2008 Fuori Salone”MERITALIA”

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  

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Milano Salone 2008”FOPPAPEDRETTI”

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.

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Milano Salone 2008 INTERNI Event,”Green Energy Design / SUNPLANT”

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.

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Milano Salone 2008 INTERNI Event,”Green Energy Design”,la Rinascente

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.

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imm cologne 2008″La Nouva Casa-Munchen”

“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.

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Milano Salone 2007″MOROSO”

“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.

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2007.04.18

Milano Salone 2007 Fuori Salone”Il Futuro della Tradizione”

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

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Milano Salone 2007″BERNINI”

“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.

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Milano Salone 2007 INTERNI Event”Decode Elements / Digital Fire”

Toshiyuki Kita was in charge of an installation to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of MONDADORI, publisher of the worldwide interior magazine “INTERNI.” Called “Digital Fire,” a space was created inside the corridor of Castello Sforzesco (in the center of Milan) that, through new technology and expression of flames, makes it seem as if the Renaissance has returned.

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Milano Salone 2006″Japan Design : Good Design Award 50 Years”

The Triennale is famous worldwide as an art gallery for design and architecture. 20 Japanese corporations who are leaders in the realms of automobiles, home electronics, information-related equipment, daily goods, and other fields participated in an exhibition there focused mainly on products that have won the Good Design Award as well as historical famous brand goods, concept design, etc. Toshiyuki Kita, who was the Good Design Chairperson of the Jury that year, entirely produced an exhibition that conveyed the potential and appeal of Japan Design, which leads the world in terms of history and innovation. Approximately 50,000 people attended and the high quality of Japanese design drew much attention from … Read more

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2006.04.04

Milano Salone 2006 Fuori Salone”Design Happy Singapore”

Since 2004, Toshiyuki Kita has worked as design advisor for the Government of Singapore and has presented projects with four Singaporean companies as well as comprehensively producing exhibition spaces. In addition, “VIVO CITY,” designed by Toyo Ito, and night photographs of Singapore taken by Italian photographer Maurizio Marcato were also on display. 2006.04.04(Tue)

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2006.04.04

Milano Salone 2006 Fuori Salone INTERNI Event,”Heavylight / Da Tempo”

INTERNI, which sponsors Fuori Salone, held an event consisting of an installation based on the theme of “Heavylight” lamps. Invited designers held solo exhibitions at 8 places within the city of Milan. Kita presented “Da Tempo” in the Piazza Mercanti near Duomo, located in the center of Milan. Including a 4.5 meter tall washi paper lantern and a brand new lamp, many categories were created in one space, expressing the flow of time. A great deal of people attended and talked about the opening event. 2006.04.04(Tue)-10(Mon) Loggia Del Mercanti

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Macef 2006″A Bridge to the Future”

Macef is a daily goods trade fair that has been held in Milan for 41 years since 1964. 2006 was the first time the entire renovated new trade fair space was used, and Japan was chosen for the first time as Italy’s partner country for the main event. “Japan Exhibition/A Bridge to the Future,” produced entirely by Toshiyuki Kita, was a groundbreaking experiment to share Japan’s exceptional products as a world brand. The participating Japanese makers’ design and technology was picked up by the mass media of many countries and shows the future of Japanese products.

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eat-eat

An exhibition to present Kita’s new cutlery series “XELA” was held at Gallery le bain in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo. Over 200 people visited the opening party and were intrigued by the cutlery displayed like jewels.

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2005.04.12

Milano Salone 2005 Fuori Salone,STOKKE

Toshiyuki Kita released his new chair “TOK” from STOKKE, a company in Norway (Northern Europe) that makes wooden furniture. Special features are the warmth of the wood and its organic form. The chair also includes a rocking function and, together with the ottoman, supports a variety of postures. 2005.04.12(Tue)~18(Mon)

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Milano Salone 2005 INTERNI Event,”Open Air Design / SPRING”

Kita, as an invited designer, presented his bench “SPRING” as part of the INTERNI-sponsored event that took place during the duration of the Salone in the city of Milan. The concept of this work is a brief rest beneath a shady tree, and the mirror finish of the frame was consciously designed to reflect the greenery of the park and blend smoothly into it. Many attendees enjoyed sitting on the bench for a few moments and watching the displayed images of cherry blossoms that evoke the work’s title.

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Milano Salone 2004 Fuori Salone”Spazio Aquos”

Kita presented his new home theater space that incorporates LCD TV, “Spazio Aquos.” This space contains his new TV and “THEATER SOFA,” his new work from Japan.

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Milano Salone 2004 Fuori Salone”Furomio”

Kita presented a marble bathroom space from the Italian maker BIGELLI. The bathtub and all other systems are all made of marble and their size can be adjusted as desired. The surrounding mini garden, where the owner can enjoy planting plants and flowers, is visible from the bathtub.

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Ambiente Frankfurt 2003″Reinterpretation of Tradition”

Ambiente, the world’s largest household and daily goods trade fair, is held in Frankfurt, Germany. Toshiyuki Kita was invited to hold a solo exhibition at Ambiente 2003, and he displayed 40 types of new Arita-yaki pieces that definitely conveyed the appeal of Arita-yaki to the European market.

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Reinterpretation of Tradition

An exhibition on the theme of Arita-yaki that was held at the Matsuya Ginza Design Gallery. Based on the concept of resurrecting Arita-yaki, which flourished in the 17th Century, this work was first shown in Japan prior to its exhibition at the Milano Salone. Kita’s presentation of new types of dishes that ignore whether cuisine comes from the East or West was widely talked about.

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Abitare il Tempo 2002″Reinterpretation of Tradition”

The popular Japan Booth produced by Toshiyuki Kita was an exhibition based on the concept of taking Japan’s traditional crafts and bringing them back into modern life. The traditional, high-quality artistry of washi paper, urushi (lacquer), and porcelain is known worldwide and drew a significant response from the attendees.

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European Ways of Life

An event held at the Louvre based on the idea of lifestyles of the next era. Kita’s new works “AQUOS” and “TATAMO” were displayed alongside pieces including Ferraris, drawing a great deal of attention.

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