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Nendo Collaborates With Kyoto Artisans for ‘nendo sees Kyoto’ Exhibition

10.06.22 | By
Nendo Collaborates With Kyoto Artisans for ‘nendo sees Kyoto’ Exhibition

nendo sees Kyoto is an exhibition showcasing select pieces initially presented throughout World Cultural Heritage sites within Kyoto, now making its U.S. debut at Friedman Benda. Led by Oki Sato of nendo, the designer sought to collaborate for the first time with six local master artisans, each unique in their ancient Japanese craft methodology.

Friedman Benda and nendo are pleased to present ‘ nendo sees Kyoto ’

The body of work is hybridized by traditional Japanese techniques with modern material technologies. The collaborators include 16th Generation Onishi Seiwemon, 12th Generation Ueji Jiki Ogawa Katsuaki, Kojima Shouten, 13th Generation Soutetsu Nakamura, Miyazaki Kagu, and 15th Generation Kichizaemon Raku Jikiny.

Currently on view are Hyouri – a series of silk organdy and bamboo lights; Junwan – a series of Raku-ware recast not as a vessel to drink from but as a vessel that drinks; Ishidansu – a series of boulders transposed into drawers with hewn rock elements morphed with wood; Sunafuki – a set of cherry and Japanese lacquer vessels; and lastly Fuu-raijin – a duo of screens produced using Sashimono, a traditional Japanese joinery technique that assembles Hinoki without the use of glue or joinery tools.

nendo sees kyoto exhibition shots

nendo sees kyoto lighting

Ishidansu sees boulders, a key element of a traditional Japanese garden and the slowest - changing component

nendo sees kyoto four black bowls on display

nendo sees kyoto display

Fuu - raijin , a duo of screens have been produced using Sashimono – a traditional Japanese joinery technique that assembles Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) pieces without the use of glue or joinery tools

Hyouri ’s shades seem to swallow parts of themselves, some triply nested, and some even reaching inward to peak through the other side

Hyouri ’s shades seem to swallow parts of themselves, some triply nested, and some even reaching inward to peak through the other side

Ishidansu sees boulders, a key element of a traditional Japanese garden and the slowest - changing component

Ishidansu sees boulders, a key element of a traditional Japanese garden and the slowest - changing component

Junwan recast not as a vessel to drink from but as a vessel that drinks

Junwan recast not as a vessel to drink from but as a vessel that drinks

Fuu - raijin , a duo of screens have been produced using Sashimono – a traditional Japanese joinery technique that assembles Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) pieces without the use of glue or joinery tools

nendo sees kyoto screen

‘nendo sees Kyoto’ at Friedman Benda, New York is on display through October 15, 2022.

Exhibition photography by Daniel Kukla.
Product photography by Hiroshi Iwasaki and Akihiro Yoshida.

Leo Lei translates his passion for minimalism into his daily-updated blog Leibal. In addition, you can find uniquely designed minimalist objects and furniture at the Leibal Store.