The festival “DESIGNART TOKYO 2022,” where people can experience art and design in the city of Tokyo, was held from October 21st to 30th. This event has become a well-established fall event in Tokyo. As the effects of Covid-19 pandemic gradually settle down and the crowds return to the city, 92 exhibitions with about 300 creators and brands participated in this 6th year anniversary event. Also, a total of approximately 200,000 people visited during the ten day exhibition.

Information Center (World Kita-Aoyama Building) © Nacása & Partners

DESIGNART TOKYO is a project launched in 2017 by five groups including six founders who are active in various fields with the aim of transmitting and industrializing creativity from Tokyo. Art and design (architecture, interior design, products, fashion, technology, etc.) from all over the world gather in Tokyo, one of the world’s leading mixed culture cities, and unique presentations are made using a variety of places such as shops and galleries. It’s an innovative attempt. This year’s theme was “TOGETHER -Fusing Curiosity-“.

“NEXT CIRCULATION” Exhibition Information Center (World Kita-Aoyama Building) © Nacása & Partners

As the information center that serves as the face of the event, the World Kita-Aoyama Building welcomes a large number of visitors every year. They held an exhibit called “NEXT CIRCULATION” with ambitious works that tackle global environmental issues under the theme of sustainability x technology done by new and well known designers from Japan and abroad, such as France, Israel, Netherland and Taiwan. The space design was directed by Satoshi Itasaka, a notable designer who also works on upcycled works himself.

Hiroto Yoshizoe “Orbit” “NEXT CIRCULATION” Exhibition Information Center (World Kita-Aoyama Building) © Nacása & Partners

As a special project, Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI) showcased seven items of the circular economy, such as a crystal shape created with recovered glass in a mouth-blown glass mold and an ultra-lightweight eyewear using discarded fishing nets. Also, many visitors were attracted by Hiroto Yoshizoe‘s lighting work, which was exhibited in Milan, using shades made of 100% recycled glass made from discarded brown pipes and fluorescent lamps, and the project collaborated between Sae Honda, a Japanese based in Amsterdam who makes jewelries with artificial stones from discarded plastic, and 3710Lab, a platform that designs and provides education centered on next-generation ocean education.