B-OWND, a platform for art and craft works provided by Tanseisha, will launch a new project in collaboration with artists and in joint development with specialized manufacturers to turn art-as-craft works into products.
The first product, "Hohoyoroihai Child Tiger Shape Gold" was made possible through a collaboration between ceramic artist Takahiro Koga and B-OWND, and is modeled after Koga's representative series "Hohoyoroihai", which is popular as a "wearable vessel". Developed in collaboration with Nikko Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture), a manufacturer specializing in ceramics, the product was created to embody Koga's artistry and to make his artwork available to more people. Sales will begin at Takahiro Koga's solo exhibition "Anti Wabi-Sabi" (organized by or) to be held at "or (RAYARD MIYASHITA PARK, Shibuya, Tokyo)" from Friday, June 18 to Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (The event dates are subject to change.)
In addition to continuing to support the activities of the next generation of artists through this project, B-OWND aims to create opportunities for more people to enjoy art in a familiar environment, in line with its mission of "bringing everyone into the arts," and to contribute to the spread of art and craft works and the expansion of the art market in Japan.
"Chokyoroi Sake Cup for Boys, Tiger Shape, Gold," a masterpiece by ceramic artist Takahiro Koga, has been commercialized in collaboration with B-OWND and Nikko Co., Ltd.
The model was used in the video for TRiECHOES*, which was released in August 2020. (Photographer: Yuji Kimura)
*TRiECHOES: A three-person performance group consisting of Japan's best koto player and a DJ who collaborate to create new music that mixes traditional music with EDM.
Background of the initiative
Launched in 2019, B-OWND has worked with many artists who create craft works as art, and has endeavored to expand and popularize the art market and support artists' activities in various ways, including selling works using blockchain technology, utilizing its media functions to introduce artists, and promoting collaborations between space and art using Tanseisha's business.
On the other hand, since regular artworks are one-of-a-kind, they require a lot of time to produce, and the supply to the market is limited, so they are not easily available and tend to end up in the hands of a limited number of people. Therefore, this time, we decided to utilize Tanseisha's network to connect specialized manufacturers and artists, and produce and sell collaborative works with B-OWND as artworks.
Project Features
B-OWND, which has a deep understanding of artists, will collaborate with a specialized manufacturer of artwork materials to develop products that utilize the artistry of B-OWND artists, enabling them to produce multiple works that maximize the artistry of the artists involved. For artists, this will allow them to create new creative time while selling their works as products. In addition, the acquisition of these products will remove the barriers to purchasing art, making art more accessible to more people. Furthermore, by increasing the number of people who know the joy of owning art, this will lead to the development of future collectors and contribute to the expansion of the art market.
About the first product, "Chooyoroi Cup for Boys, Tiger Shape, Gold"
This product, which was developed in collaboration with ceramic manufacturer Nikko Co., Ltd., is modeled after the Hohoyoroihai series, a wearable vessel that is a representative work of ceramicist Takahiro Koga. Sake vessels have developed as kaiseki vessels that draw on the lineage of the comprehensive Japanese art of tea ceremony, and the Hohoyoroihai expresses art that incorporates the history of tea ceremony, Sengoku warlords (unique armor), and crafts. This time, Nikko Co., Ltd., where Japanese craftsmen carefully create ceramics from raw material processing to production and shipping, has succeeded in commercializing a sake cup with a complex shape.
● Joint development manufacturer: "Nikko Co., Ltd."
Founded in 1908, the company manufactures and sells ceramics, custom-made bathrooms, combined septic tanks, industrial wastewater plants, and functional ceramic products. The company manufactures ceramics entirely in its own factory in Ishikawa Prefecture, and is the only Western-style tableware manufacturer in Japan that boasts large-scale production volumes.
Website: https://www.nikko-tabletop.jp
●Collaborating artist: Ceramic artist Takahiro Koga
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1987. Graduated from the Saga University Faculty of Culture and Education, Department of Art and Crafts in 2010. Inspired by Sen no Rikyu, Koga advocates "anti-wabi-sabi" in the sense of emphasizing the presence of his works. In order to visualize the power inherent in objects, he uses studs to express prominent figures. He crystallizes prominent figures that will change the world in porcelain.
●商品概要
・商品名：「頬鎧盃 童 虎形 金」
・価格：44,000円（税込）
・サイズ：W85mm×H62mm×D75mm / 82g
・発売日：2021年6月18日（金）
・販売場所：orにて先行販売後、B-OWNDウェブサイト（https://www.b-ownd.com）で販売予定（詳細未定）
・販売個数：限定200個（先行販売40個）
・商品に関する問い合わせ先：info@b-ownd.com
Summary of ceramic artist Takahiro Koga's solo exhibition "Anti Wabi-Sabi - Creativity Cannot Be Restrained"
期間：2021年6月18日（金）～2021年6月23日（水）12:00～20:00 会期中無休
一般公開日：6月20日（日）～6月23日（水）12:00-20:00
会場：or | RAYARD MIYASHITA PARK（〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前6丁目20-10 North）
主催：or
イベントに関するお問い合わせ：or （ info@ortokyo.com ）
※開催期間または営業時間については急遽変更になる場合がございます。
※新型コロナウイルス感染拡大防止対策のため、入場を制限させていただく場合がございます。
※緊急事態宣言の発出や自治体による営業自粛要請等により、本展の内容が変更となる可能性がございます。
詳細はorウェブサイト（https://www.ortokyo.com）、B-OWNDのSNS（Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/bowndjp、Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/bowndjp/?hl=ja、twitter：https://twitter.com/b_ownd）をご確認ください。
※新型コロナウイルス感染症予防および拡大防止のため細心の注意を払い対策を徹底した上で開催いたしますが、会場にご来場いただくお客様におかれましても、新型コロナウイルス感染拡大予防へのご協力をお願いいたします。
About "B-OWND"
Launched in May 2019, B-OWND is an online marketplace that sells craft works as art that expresses Japanese beauty. By carefully introducing artists and their works, the platform aims to be a place that connects artists and buyers. In addition, B-OWND allows you to purchase works that come with a blockchain-based digital certificate of authenticity. The fact that you have purchased a work is recorded semi-permanently, and each person's aesthetic sense is engraved in the history of art and crafts.
<Service Features>
(1) Online Market
This is an online market where you can purchase craft works as art that are symbols of Japanese beauty and technique. We sell a wide variety of works from up-and-coming young artists to world-renowned artists.
(2) Digital Certificates
By issuing a digital certificate of authenticity via blockchain for every work, not only will the authenticity be proven, but the act of purchasing will also be recorded in history. We will also promote a "rebate model" that allows artists to take (optionally) a portion of the transaction fee during secondary distribution. System Development in collaboration with Startbahn Co., Ltd.
(3) Online Media
In order to promote Japanese contemporary crafts as art, we mainly introduce artists and the concepts of their works. In addition to introducing materials and techniques unique to crafts, we also focus on how cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and AI will affect art and crafts, and explore the value of contemporary crafts.
(4) Collaboration with the space
By combining Tanseisha's spatial creation know-how with B-OWND's services, we can provide a special space for everyone who visits, from proposing to incorporate art into spaces such as hotels, lounges, and offices to branding.
Related information
Related Links
B-OWND, an online marketplace that sells craft works as art: https://www.b-ownd.com/
Please note that this may be subject to change without prior notice.