Tokyo Design Festa
Everything that’s weird and wonderful in craft and hobbies, cottage industry up to larger enterprise was on exhibit in the Odaiba district at Tokyo Big Sight over the last weekend (24th/25th October 2009). Nearly every form of art and design was on display and available for all to see.
A view of the gate on the way out.
The range of talent and interest and sheer ability in areas of illustration, fashion & accessories and costume, graphic design, painting, textile art, dance, song, tattoos, animation and many more was quite a sight. the two days of visual and aural extravaganza pulls in all sorts of contributors, and not simply from these shores. Often foreigners get involved in the exhibition as well and on the same basis as the Japanese – for either fun, interest, or business.
It had been a number of years since I had visited last and I was keen to see how my memory of the event would compare to the current fads and trends. My initial response was to take in all that I could but after my 20th or so jewelry stand and cos-play fanatic my interest and energy level started to wane. The distraction and all encompassing wealth of activity was still no match for a pachinko parlour however I did feel that there seemed to be a certain sameness that permeated throughout the event. The general numbing effect of this was on occasion rattled from me when I saw some really fantastic skill and professionalism on display. Among the normal day to day manga fanatics and goths there were really some great illustrators with really strong ability for life drawing from their imagination. As I come from this type of background seeing people doing it with greater quality AND quantity with multiple media was a real thrill. Nowadays there are so many people out there who can think creatively and apply themselves to their work with amazing design sensibility, but have almost no ability to physically make a mark on a surface.
Here are just a few snapshots of the best that I found. I hope I can get an opportunity to work with talent like this in the near future.
Moriyasu Kowase: excellent vector graphics of daily Japanese streetlife.
‘Shimadat’: Multiple sketch and life-drawing styles and beautifully put together.
Beautiful pencil and ink work. I just love this stuff.
An interesting illustrative approach to cereal packaging.
Simple and fun – The polar bear, drawn by an 11 year old, was snapped right up!
And for those people who wanted to see some of the more fantastical creativity that was there on the day, have a look at this!
Don’t ask me why… Japan – Gotta love it!
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