2023.8.29 UPDATE
Antonio Citterio and Toshiyuki Kita, two design maestros representing Italy and Japan, respectively, have released a video interview in which they discuss their long lives as designers, from their past experiences to their visions for the future, from multiple perspectives, including their social backgrounds. https://eventionline.net/artist_video/s422/ The “Italian Design Day” is an event held since 2017 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, together with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Activities, with the aim of spreading the history and current state of Italian design. GRANDI AMICI DELLʼ ITALIA” (Great Italian Friends) is a new series of talks by great Japanese maestros from various fields, who will … Read more
2023.8.29 UPDATE
Toshiyuki Kita will participate as a lecturer in a seminar at the special site of the Italian Cultural Institute Osaka, one of the events of the Italian Design Day. Please take a look. https://eventionline.net/artist_video/s256/ The “Italian Design Day” is an event held since 2017 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, together with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Activities, with the aim of spreading the history and current state of Italian design. GRANDI AMICI DELLʼ ITALIA” (Great Italian Friends) is a new series of talks by great Japanese maestros from various fields, who will share their personal relationship with Italy. Italy is a place where … Read more
2017.3.28 UPDATE
In 2011, Toshiyuki Kita designed light stand using traditional Japanese craftsmanship called “BONBO” with Japanese-Washi paper material was announced in Paris. In January 2017, this time utilizing the traditional craftsmanship of metal spinning artisan with Aluminum material, with the same design inspiration birthed a new “ALED” lamp from the Japanese brand “NEEL”. All during the Milano Design Week (Milano Fuori Salone 2017), the well-established Italian brand boutique RODO on the fashion design street Corso Matteotti displayed the “ALED” lights in their front window showcase. 4-9,APRIL 2017 10:00-19:00 RODO boutique – corso matteotti, 14 MILANO (website)
2017.3.28 UPDATE
Photograph by Tom Vack “Hirosaki Tsugaru Nuri Project” with overall supervision and design by Toshiyuki Kita aims at re-introducing the traditional craftsman of Tsugaru Nuri with its long history into the global market, to create everyday household items for use in various modern lifestyles today. During April 4th through the 9th 2017, at the famous Triennale di Milano, Hirosaki Design Week organized exhibition “Milano 2017”, in the Hirosaki booth, tables, large cuisine plates and objets, items and tea caddy for Japanese tea ceremony, and a container in the shape of an apple called “HAPPY RINGO”, all made by traditional Tsugaru Nuri artisans was exhibited. Conscious of the global … Read more
2017.3.27 UPDATE
At the INTERNI’s 20th edition major exhibition-event MATERIAL/IMMATERIAL, held during the 2017 Fuori Salone in Milano, Toshiyuki Kita exhibited a project announcing a newly reborn innovative material resource made of bamboo. (Sponsored by SHUKOH Co.,Ltd.) VENUE 3-15,APRIL 2017 10:00-24:00 FuoriSalone 2017/ Universita degli Studi di Milano (historical courtyard hallway near the Press Office&Mac Stampa) FLAT BAMBU SHIMANE : A New Material of Flat-board Bamboo At the installation in the historical courtyard hallway of Universita degli Studi di Milano will be for INTERNI’s 20th anniversary edition, sponsored by SHUKOH Co.,Ltd., “FLAT BAMBU SHIMANE” series of various furnishings ultilizing the new flat-boarded bamboo material was announced and displayed. Bamboo is not only … Read more
2017.1.27 UPDATE
Photograph by Tom Vack Akita Prefecture, with approximately 820 thousand hectares of forest, accounting for 71% of its prefecture area; 50% are afforested Cedro woods. In order to utilize this forest resource effectively, in collaboration with Akita Prefecture and 7 of its wood furniture manufacturers, the new “AKITA COLLECTION” was released at the international trade fair of Milano HOMI 2017. Cedro Rosso di Akita woods which grow in the cold environment that were raised from seeds by hands of the pioneers and roots deeply into the ground, forms with fine annual rings, beautiful red colored wood grains and has a sturdy but light-weight and soft textured qualities. Making the best use … Read more
2017.1.27 UPDATE
Photograph by Tom Vack Seiko SCM Corporation, ever since its foundation in 1961, has nurtured a corporate culture that respects and greatly values the soul of metal spinning artisan, and manufacturing products that is loved by everyone. Based on a lamp designed by Toshiyuki Kita for the 2011 international trade fair in Paris called “BONBO”, a new LED table lamp and pendant lighting, “ALED” comes alive with the collaboration between Toshiyuki Kita and SEIKO SCM’s metal spinning artisans. This new “ALED” lighting series was announced and displayed at the latest international trade fair of Milano HOMI February 2017. 27-30,January 2017 at Fiera Milano – Rho(Milan) Pavilion 10, Stand C32 … Read more
2016.11.15 UPDATE
Toshiyuki Kita held a open class lecture at Politecnico di Milano on Novemeber 8th,2016, with special guest Enrico Baleri, on the theme “Made with Heart and Soul” about design and his lifework collaboration with various Japanese traditional craftsmanship. Open Class Lecture: “Made with Heart and Soul” Lecturer: Toshiyuki Kita Special guest : Enrico Baleri Venue: November 8th, 2016 9:30am- at Politecnico di Milano
2016.6.14 UPDATE
Jun 14, 2016(Tue) Palazzo Isimbardi Invited as the ADI International Jury for the XXIV-ADI Compasso d’Oro Award.
2016.5.23 UPDATE
RENOVETTA – GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2013
2016.5.23 UPDATE
(Gakugei Shuppan-Sha Publisher, 2012) Having lived and experienced almost half a century of Italian design, the author recollects and puts forth, true meaning of a rich and fruitful life and what the role of design should be. He also mentions the life after WWII in Japan, and its sad results of restoration of Japanese living lifestyle now in a essay style book.