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YUKARI Exhibition Opening Recap

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Friday night marked the opening of our three-day YUKARI exhibition that we hosted at our NYC pop up shop. In collaboration with Oji & Design and Asahikawa Woodworking, we exhibited products from these Japanese design studios that included a large range of their newest works. This was Oji Masanori’s first NYC exhibition and we were overjoyed he was able to be at the event in person to meet with his fans and see the reaction they had to his designs. The turnout was overwhelming and we deeply appreciate everybody who came together to make the night a real success. 

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A few hours prior to the opening, the exhibition was all set up and all the products stood peacefully at their posts. Little did they know, a large crowd was about to storm through.

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The first guests come by and finally bring the products to life! 

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Our guest of honor, Oji Masanori (right) arrives with his good friend and colleague, Taku (left).

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The concept of the exhibition stemmed from the idea that a product can be a form of connection.  Through an association with designer to craftsmen to user, each of these objects embody these combined interactions and relationships. 

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It was Oji’s hope to share with people the substantial feeling that “we are all connected” and by the end of the night, after meeting our guests, we too had the sense that many have affected the outcome of these products.  It was wonderful to see everybody united over a love of design.

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Johnny Strategy (left), from the inspiring Japanese lifestyle blog Spoon & Tomago and his adorable daughter, Fia (bottom), joined in on the festivities. Little Fia requested a custom child’s stool. The girl already has an eye for design!

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Nori (left), from Chopticks NY, and Oji discover that they are from the same hometown in Japan that night!

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Our Asahi and sake corner was a hit! Thank you to Hiroko and Rick from Sakaya for the selection of fine sakes from a variety of areas in Japan, including the Hokkaido region, in honor of Asahikawa Woodworking’s prefecture. Sakaya is NYC’s first premium sake shop. If you haven’t been yet, you must go!

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Sara, Dave, Steve and Sahar catching some fresh air while posing as the Ramones on the historic Extra Place alley.

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Special thanks to photographer extraordinaire, Armando Rafael, for the photos and for letting us enjoy the night sans camera, and to all our dearest family and friends for your sake pouring, gift wrapping and drilling skills along with your endless encouragement. 

Stay tuned for more photos of the YUKARI exhibition pieces as well as a closer look at our new shop later this week.

Written by Angélique Chmielewski

Angélique Chmielewski

November 20, 2013

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