What unique expression can be made with Fab machine ✕ leather slippers?
Best, Excellent, Winners Announced!
We have announced the results of the design competition for “Make it Yourself – # 01 Traveling Leather Slippers by KULUSKA”.
In this project, we recruited slipper designs based on the open design slippers of the design unit KULUSKA. As a design condition, we asked for a slipper design using either a laser cutter or a UV printer, and received over 70 entries.
At the judging panel, all the submitted works were output and judging over the wall.
Aya Fujimoto of KULUSKA (left) and Kotaro Iwaoka, director of FabCafe (right), were in charge of the screening. Mr. KULUSKA Naoki Fujimoto judged the work at the satellite because this was a business trip abroad.
FabCafe Chief Crew, Sorakuen Kaori. The eyes to see the work are serious.
The jury emphasized the attractiveness and fun of each piece from different perspectives, and the possibilities of what a Fab machine could do. The discussion deepens.
The characteristics of Fab machines such as Nume leather, laser cutters and UV printers as materials, and whether they make use of the slipper mold. The point of evaluation was how to express the three recruiting themes (A. travel scenes / B. Daily discoveries / C. Thoughts for important people).
Depending on the combination of the content to be printed and the Fab machine, Nume leather may be reborn into a new material.
As a result of the judging, 10 works were realized and proceeded to exhibition at FabCafe. Please see all the winning works.
Grand Prize
Mochizuki 《Sand dripping waves》
The beach, my father, my mother, and my little self were standing side by side, and I could feel the waves rubbing off the sand on my soles.
Small fish wandering in place of the flowing sand. I left again with the next wave, but what a fish.
Don't forget the coolness of the wet sand, the scent of sunscreen, and the sensation of a hard, rough shell. I put such memories.
Comment:
It was a work that tells the story of slippers, where you can feel the sea wherever you are. I think it's a design that is also inspired by Jens Divic's "Sandals that can feel the land of Africa", which triggered KULUSKA's open design. I wondered if the creator himself would like the sea, and the image expanded to that person. (Aya Fujimoto)
It feels good that the graphic layout is correctly determined for the slippers. The moment when the bare feet are waved, the feeling of stepping on the sandy beach, and the sensation of shellfish can be expressed by utilizing the special UV printer and laser. Mochizuki's love for the sea came through. (Kotaro Iwaoka)
When you wear these slippers, everyone can remember the sights and experiences of the sandy beach in their memories. I thought that common sense was well expressed. As a FabCafe, I would like to challenge how much the expression of sandy beaches and waves can be reproduced using a machine. (Sorakuen incense)
Outstanding performance award
KULUSKA and Naoki Fujimoto
Duck "don't worry"
Spilling a drink on leather will disappoint but be okay.
It is stained from the beginning.
DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY
Comment:
Since natural color leather is stained with gross from the beginning, the color of the stain does not change forever when used. I think the design takes advantage of the characteristics of UV printers and the aging of leather. It is fun to be able to visualize the time spent by the person by the difference in color between the part that remains unchanged and the part that has changed. (Naoki Fujimoto)
It is a good idea to reverse the idea of replacing the existence of "leather stains", which would otherwise be a concern, with "memories" to become a device for feeling the flow of time. (Sorakuen incense)
KULUSKA Aya Fujimoto
KAMEI DESIGN. "NIPPON"
It is a simple slipper that you can always feel the beauty of Japan every time you wear it, designed for your important French friend. If you align your feet, a warm circle will appear. I want foreign people to wear it and travel abroad.
Comment:
I really sympathized with the motivation to present the beauty of Japan in slippers to an important French friend. KULUSKA has been pursuing ideas where the idea has taken shape beyond the borders, but in that, I felt that I wanted to tell my friends around the world more about Japan. The work reminded me of the discovery and surprise that the further I left Japan, the closer I was to Japan. I hope that this project will make it possible because it cannot be made with the laser cutter we have used so far. (Aya Fujimoto)
It's a bit embarrassing to wear it if you're yourself, but I understand the desire to show and present these slippers to foreign friends. Since open design is also a common language when meeting people with different languages and cultures, the combination of "open design" and "journey" is very meaningful. KULUSKA's slippers format allows you to say, "I'm from a country called Japan." (Kotaro Iwaoka)
I felt that the beauty of Japan was simply expressed. The desire to share truly beautiful things with everyone is similar to Mr. Kurska's efforts. I want to spread the charm of Japan overseas through these slippers. (Sorakuen incense)
Sorakuen incense selection
hossy nakkie << Tsugai >>
Even if you become an uncle, aunt, grandfather, or grandma, always walk in the same direction and walk. Hopefully slippery slippers make you happy and unique, so you can get older each other ...! ! The aging of the leather expresses wrinkles and sagging of the face, making it tasteful.
Uncle's mustache, aunt's earrings, etc. will be decorated, and the letters in the mouth will be branded.
Comment:
I can imagine how men and women wear these slippers and live together. It's perfect for the theme of giving it to someone special. Sometimes it may be fun to exchange each other's slippers. I also want to give such slippers to someone! (Sorakuen incense)
The message is really nice. For example, when you quarrel with a couple, when you see these slippers at the entrance, the message "I Love You" would be very supportive. On the anniversary, the couple could exchange the accessories that they put on these slippers, and I felt the story going on forever. (Aya Fujimoto)
The moment I realized that leather aging was linked to the appearance of men and women, the work suddenly looked nice. It's a relationship where both the leather and the married couple go out for a long time and accept dirt and damage. (Kotaro Iwaoka)
Kotaro Iwaoka
Noraneko Design “Wearable Wood”
I heard of traveling slippers and came to mind a big cedar tree in Yakushima that I wanted to see someday. I imagined how beautiful it would be if the grain was printed on the leather material, and finished the design with a stump.
Comment:
If you make good use of the characteristics of a laser cutter and UV printing, you will be able to reproduce the skin of a tree while using the texture of leather. Before the judging, I thought that it would be better to not print on the entire surface of the leather to take advantage of the texture of the leather, but I discovered that depending on how it was used, the leather could be sublimated into a new material. It would be interesting to make variations with different tree species, such as chestnut trees and keyaki trees. (Kotaro Iwaoka)
Previously, there was a person who participated in the Kuruska open design workshop and designed it with the theme of warmth of wood, but at that time it was difficult to express the strength of wood as a material only with a laser cutter. Was. Over time, the combination of UV printers seems to have reached new possibilities. It is interesting to see how leather and Fab machines can be used to get closer to a real tree with the feel and texture, and how new materials can be created through experiments. (Aya Fujimoto)
Winning
In the final selection, there are 5 works that have received high evaluations from the judges. All winning entries will be realized.
KAMEI DESIGN. 《TOTTORI SAKYU》
Comment:
It is a unique slipper with blue lines when viewed from a distance, and a dune when approached. It's also nice that the natural color of leather is likened to a dune.
naginohi << with flower >>
Comment:
The flowers and birds are cute and match the texture of the leather. I want to print the watercolor touch on the leather neatly.
Junko Chatani 《Natsuyama's memories of a trip》
Comment:
It is a unique work of Fab, which is based on the theme of family memories. I wanted to try a workshop for children's picture @ Fab.
maru-san's mischievous slippers
Comment:
It was a work that shines with careful attention to how to use the UV printer and laser cutter. I laughed unexpectedly with the expression of a bird poo.
jobin.
Comment:
I think it's an expression and story that makes good use of the uses and structure of slippers. The picture is also cute.
August 31-September 7 Awards Exhibition & Workshop!
All of the award-winning works will be realized by the winners, with the support of FabCafe and Loftwork.
From August 31, there will be an exhibition of 10 completed slippers at the renewed FabCafe Tokyo. What kind of slippers can a flat work become with a Fab machine and a creator? Please look forward to it.
And on Sunday, September 6th, KULUSKA will hold a workshop using leather and UV printing. Please wait for the next report!
Thank you, KULUSKA! !
