DesignTide
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DesignTide is an annual design event that takes place in Tokyo in late autumn. It is analogous to the type of design events that take place in major cities around the world such as Milan's Salone del Mobile, New York City's ICFF and the Stockholm Furniture Fair.
Other events that take place in Tokyo concurrently with DesignTide include 100% Design Tokyo and Tokyo Designers Week.
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[edit] Founding
The organization that planned a similar series of events, Tokyo Designers Block, was dissolved after its 2004 events due to financial concerns. Stepping in to fill the creative vacuum left by the loss of these events, DesignTide was started by a group that included many of the same people the were involved with Tokyo Designers Block. As a result, DesignTide has followed a similar focus as Tokyo Designers Block, namely emphasizing designers' creative vision rather than pursuing a role as a trade show.
[edit] Location
Since 2006, DesignTide has developed a format that combines a medium-scale main exhibition site together with numerous off-site exhibitions. Milan's Salone del Mobile was likely an influence in the development of this format. (The Milan Salone's main exhibition at the huge Fiera exhibition center is complemented by independent exhibitions throughout the city center.)
The location of DesignTide's main exhibition site has changed yearly. It first took place in a building slated for demolition and subsequently was held at the National Olympic Stadium. Information on the location for 2008's main exhibition site has yet to be released.
Its off-site exhibitions take place in art galleries, museums and boutiques throughout Tokyo's main design-conscious neighborhoods. These have centered around Aoyama and Harajuku and have also included Daiknayama, Marunouchi and Roppongi.
With the completion of the huge Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown real estate development projects, the inclusion of Roppongi as an off-site exhibition area was notable with regard to Roppongi's bid to position as itself as an area with valuable cultural offerings.
[edit] Notable Exhibitors
Both young local design talents as well as internationally recognized designers can be found among DesignTide's exhibitors. Those representing the former include Midori Araki and Wataru Komachi; among the latter are Tom Dixon, Jean-Marie Massaud and Claesson Koivisto Rune.
