Hasta La Gadget!

Nine months on from the East Japan disaster creative efforts continue aimed at providing the help needed in the North of Japan. However as time passes the media’s focus shifts elsewhere and many engaging projects are not getting the attention they deserve. The ongoing “Creation Project 2011” is a good example of such a project that hasn’t garnered much public exposure, but continues to help those affected. In this project local designers used dyed fabric made by craftsmen from four prefectures that were hit by the earthquake and tsunami (Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima and Ibaraki), and created personal messages through designed tote bags. The bags are currently exhibited, and will progress until December 22nd, at the Recruit Creation Gallery G8, Ginza.

The whole project saw 180 Japanese and a few International creators collaborate with Zensenken, an organization of young craftsmen in Japan. “Creation Project” refers to the wish for re-creation or revival of the damaged areas in the North of Japan through creative efforts. “Shirushizome” used in the process of creating the bags also draws on traditional practices from the area, a traditional hand dyeing technique that originated in Heian Period (794-1185). Originally, a hand dyed banner indicated family crest and status, and was attached to each of the personal belongings such as tools, sign curtain hung at shop entrance etc.

Each designer expressed his or her personal message through the traditional hand-dyed bags and it is interesting to see the diversity and creativity of each designer, and their personal message and intention, and how they communicate this through design. Shin Matsunaga, for example, who is an established Japanese Graphic Designer created his interpretation of a new symbol for Japan’s revival.

Takayuki Soeda who currently participates in a long term (10 years) disaster relief project “Arts for Hope” that uses arts as a communication tool in disaster areas, created a bag design with the project’s logo and tying in the two efforts nicely.

Another of the designs that caught our eye was from creative team “Semitransparent”, a company that blends the latest media technologies and design. Their creation consisted of a dazzling patterned bag that represented a basic but fashionable concept in typical Japanese style. Product designer Hitomi Sago expressed her worries on the effect of nuclear energy by passing message of “no nukes- yes to green energy” in response to the Fukushima crisis.

“Creation Project” is a nice example of a very personal window into Japanese designer’s hearts, intentions and wishes, and the expression of their tendencies and influences. Needless to say, all profits (6,000Y a bag) are going directly to the affected areas.

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