As part of the London Design Festival, Craft x Tech arrives at the Prince Consort Gallery in the V&A, highlighting the transformative potential of combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge art and design.

The cultural project promoted by Hideki Yoshimoto, founder of the engineering design studio Tangent, and curated by Maria Cristina Didero, six craft districts from Japan's Tohoku region with internationally renowned creators including Sabine Marcelis, Studio SWINE, Ini Archibong, Yoichi Ochiai, Michael Young and Hideki Yoshimoto

Following its successful debut at Tokyo’s Kudan House in May and its recognition as Best Curio Presentation at Design Miami/Basel in June, the 2024 edition of Craft x Tech features groundbreaking collaborations between these renowned creators and master artisans from the Tohoku region of Japan.

Craft x Tech bridges traditional craftsmanship with modern design, resulting in one-of-a-kind creations that blur the lines between art and technology. The exhibition is a celebration of cultural exchange, showcasing how time-honoured techniques can be revitalized through innovative design.

Craft x Tech features an array of collaborations with distinguished creators from around the globe including:

Sabine Marcelis partnering with artisans from the Akita prefecture on the creation of traditional lacquered pieces. The Dutch designer presents *Yōkan*, a minimalist series of lacquered tables and wall-mounted pieces that play with light and materiality, crafted with a focus on simplicity and elegance.

Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves of Studio SWINE reinterpreting the production of traditional Sendai-Tansu chests, originally crafted for samurai and merchants in the city of Sendai, in the Miyagi prefecture, and applying this to furniture. The duo introduces Metropolis I that reinvents the stately Sendai-Tansu chest with bold patterns inspired by Ukiyo-e prints and 1960s Metabolist architecture.

Ini Archibong collaborating with Aomori artisans using the traditional Tsugari-Nuri lacquerware. Artifact #VII blends traditional craftsmanship with futuristic design, creating a sound-emitting sculpture that represents a fusion of ancient skills and modern technology.

Yoichi Ochiai exploring the Oitama Tsumugi textile tradition from Yamagata. He presents Null-Beni-An/Nouvelle Néant, a folding tea room that uses the delicate Oitama Tsumugi silk, dyed with safflower and symbolising the craftsmanship of Yamagata.

- Michael Young working on the ironware technique of Iwate prefecture’s Nambu-Tekki artisans. Michael presents Blossom Links, a modular collection of iron tables and wall pieces that marries traditional techniques with 3D printing.

Hideki Yoshimoto collaborating with Aizu Hongo Yaki artisans, the oldest type of pottery in the Tohoku region. With Rain, Hideki introduces a floor lamp that combines ancient pottery methods with digital precision, creating a seamless integration of ceramics and modern materials.

The Craft x Tech exhibition will be on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Prince Consort Gallery throughout the London Design Festival, offering visitors the chance to experience the synergy of tradition and innovation. This showcase not only celebrates the skills of the participating artisans and designers but also emphasizes the power of blending ancient techniques with contemporary design practices.

During the exhibition, the Craft x Tech team will announce the six international creators invited to participate in the next edition of the project.

Exhibition Dates: 14 September - 13 October 2024 - Location: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL. Free Admission

Picture credits : Ed Reeve & personal pictures

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