Architecture
Harmony
Thursday, 09 April 2009
Posted by Niki Fulton at 09:43 AM in Architecture
I asked a writer last week what the first three colours were that came into her head when I said the word "Tokyo". I was really surprised because she responded, white, transparent, and soft dove grey". I was expecting her to say fluorescent green, orange or red pulsating from the non-stop consumer culture and constant high levels of energy that oscillate around Japan's capital city in a frantic rhythm.
The bizarre thing about Tokyo is that it conjures up two opposed images. There is the traditional serene, tranquil, elegant culture slotting in alongside the frenzied, cutting edge, contemporary culture. It is interesting that two such diverse cultures colliding like this can operate alongside each other in perfect harmony.
If you look at eminent Japanese architect Ryuji Nakamura's work you can see traditional values and state of the art technology merge into one incredible form. He was recently asked to design scenery for The Tokyo Chamber Opera Theatre who were performing "Le Grand Macabre" in the New National Theatre in Tokyo. His work was entitled "atmosphere" and consisted of elegant ribbons falling from above the stage forming beautiful shapes and passageways. A stunning set was formed which looked beautifully simple but interestingly complex at the same time.
However, I think Nakamura's incredible Hechima 4 chair embodies this cultural entwinement perfectly. He has designed and made this beautiful chair entirely from paper. It looks so fragile but is also functional. It offers an overall sense of weightlessness and serenity. It uses incredibly advanced methods of construction with one of the purest and most traditional materials of Japan. These thought provoking designs emanating from Japan really demonstrates this magnificent fusion between old and new.
Photos kindly supplied by Ryuji Nakamura.
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