Tanseisha has signed a business partnership agreement with Yumekobo Ltd., the agent for bamboo craftsman Tanabe Chikuunsai IV.
Tanseisha has been operating the platform "B-OWND" for Japanese art and craft works since May 2019, aiming to broaden the scope of activities of artists and craftsmen who are the "bearers of culture" in Japan and contribute to the promotion of Japanese culture and arts. Tanabe Chikuunsai IV is known for his innovative activities, such as creating works that combine technology and traditional craft techniques and creating large-scale installations. Tanabe Chikuunsai IV has been involved in the "B-OWND" service since its inception, exhibiting installations at Tanseisha's headquarters and creating Digital Contents that makes use of the exhibitions together with the CMI (Cross Media Innovation) Center, which specializes in spatial Spatial Production at Tanseisha. Tanseisha has deepened its collaboration with Tanabe Chikuunsai IV and has entered into this business partnership with an eye toward promoting new initiatives in craft and spatial creation in the future.
Going forward, Tanseisha will continue to carry out demonstration experiments and development together with Tanabe Chikuunsai IV to realize new spatial experiences, creating new experiential value in spaces that combine the creativity and technical capabilities of "crafts" and "space" with technology, and promoting co-creation projects that point to the possibilities of next-generation crafts through the use of digital technology.
Past efforts
[Installation at Tanseisha Head Office]
In September 2019, we held the event "Tanabe Chikuunsai IV x B-OWND 'Bamboo Installation -Gather-'" at Tanseisha's headquarters Creative Meets. By exhibiting works that took advantage of the characteristics of the reception area, we presented new possibilities for art in office spaces.
(Image: Installation work in progress)
[Mixed reality content of installation works]
In July 2020, Tanseisha's Cross Media Innovation Headquarters took the lead in working with NTT Docomo to create a 3D digital archive using the photographic data from the 2019 installation, and produced a mixed reality (MR)(*) that allows viewers to view the exhibition space. Installations that occupy the entire space are difficult to re-experience using only Video and photographic records, but by combining this with technology, the exhibition was reproduced with high precision, proposing a new model for immersive cultural experiences.
(Image: Conceptual image of MR content experience)
*MR (Mixed Reality): A technology that enables devices to grasp the shapes of the real world and overlay digital Video onto them.
Comment from Tanabe Chikuunsai IV
We are pleased to announce that we have entered into a business partnership with Tanseisha. As technology advances and we enter a new era, art and crafts are undergoing major changes. Through this business partnership, we hope to evolve crafts, which have a Japanese identity, and create new projects that combine creativity, technique, and technology.
<Profile>
Born in Sakai, Osaka in 1973 as the second son of the third generation Chikuunsai Tanabe. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at the Tokyo University of the Arts, he studied under his father, the third generation Chikuunsai Tanabe. While inheriting the traditional techniques of his father, he has exhibited large bamboo installations at art museums overseas.
Comment from Kenichi Kiyama President and Chief Executive Of cer of Yumekobo Ltd.
We have decided to form a business Produce with Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, a contracted artist of ours, in order to realize his motto of "Tradition and Innovation" on a higher level. We are very pleased to be able to work together with Tanseisha to realize Chikuunsai's dream by creating new value through the use of Tanseisha's vast experience and resources in Digital Contents and spatial production.
Comment TANSEISHA Co., Ltd.
Seiichiro Yoshida (General Manager of Business Development Division, Planning and Development Center)
Tanabe Chikuunsai IV has been involved with B-OWND since its launch, and we are inspired by his tradition of creating innovative works and his sustainable values, which led us to launch a co-creation project. Together with Tanabe and Yumekobo, we will deliver new value to the world by connecting crafts, space, and technology. We hope you will look forward to this co-creation.
● Toshinari Sawabata (Head of the Spatial Media Marketing Division Cross Media Innovation Headquarters)
We were one of the first to notice MR, which enhances the value of the viewing experience as a digital archive, and developed Digital Contents "Tanabe Chikuunsai IV x B-OWND 'Bamboo Installation - Gather'" when we met Tanabe Chikuunsai IV.
By combining space and technology, we will create new value in crafts as a co-creation project.
Related information
・ "B-OWND" website
・ "B-OWND Magazine" (media site)
『B-OWND Magazine』2020.7.3
Tanabe Chikuunsai IV "Bamboo Installation -Gather-" Playback!
Previously published information
Please note that this may be subject to change without prior notice.