#Japan #Osaka, Tokyo #Tokyo Exhibit #NEW NORMAL 5 #Osaka Exhibit

A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity: NEW NORMAL 5 Exhibition

The ongoing design initiative known as "NEW NORMAL"—which aims to redefine the essence of traditional crafts—will be showcasing its latest developments in Osaka and Tokyo this upcoming September and October, respectively. Following its remarkable presence at the world's largest design event, Milan Design Week, where it was featured for three consecutive years, the project has evolved and is set to present eight innovative works, each representing the collaborative spirit between successors of small family businesses and talented designers.

A Journey through Innovation

The core theme of this year's exhibition is "Establishing New Norms for Family Businesses." It emphasizes the collaboration among entrepreneurs from various regions, including Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka, who are seeking to rejuvenate their legacies through fresh and innovative design methodologies. Each piece showcased will reflect the deep-rooted spirit of these historic crafts while simultaneously exploring new avenues of value creation through co-creation.

Attendees are invited to witness the inspiring results of these partnerships, illustrating transformative steps taken by enterprises aiming to forge a path into the future. The Osaka exhibition runs from September 11th to 14th, hosted as part of the autonomously organized Design Weekend Osaka, featuring a range of design-related activities across the city.

Exhibition Details

• - Osaka Exhibit

- Date: September 11 (Thursday) to September 14 (Sunday)
- Time: Weekdays 3 PM – 7 PM; Saturdays and Sundays 12 PM – 7 PM
- Venue: iha place, Osaka (Nearest station: Yotsubashi)
- Admission: Free
- Special Event: Reception Party on September 12 at 6 PM (no reservation required)

• - Tokyo Exhibit

- Date: October 1 (Wednesday) to October 5 (Sunday)
- Time: Weekdays 3 PM – 7 PM; Saturdays and Sundays 12 PM – 7 PM
- Venue: TIERS GALLERY by arakawagrip, Tokyo (Nearest station: Omotesando)
- Admission: Free
- Special Event: Reception Party on October 1 at 6 PM (no reservation required)

Participating Companies and Designers

This year’s exhibition highlights collaborations with a variety of esteemed local businesses, including:

• - Aruna Inc.
• - Kashimoto Shoten Co., Ltd.
• - San-ei Case Co., Ltd.
• - Setsu Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
• - Sirius Co., Ltd.
• - Takahata Co., Ltd.
• - Tohto Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd.
• - Mizushima Industries Co., Ltd.

Designers contributing to the project include talented creatives like Eiji Hojo, Akira Nakagome, and Kai Eguchi, among others.

The Concept Behind NEW NORMAL

Launched in 2020, the NEW NORMAL project operates under the philosophy of creating designs that embody modernity while respecting traditional frameworks. By fostering partnerships between business owners who inherit legacy enterprises and designers, the project aims to spawn innovative contributions connected to family businesses through enhanced design.

Every collaboration begins with an encounter that leads to a combined effort over approximately one year, culminating in a public exhibition that showcases the developed ideas and design solutions.
Moreover, as an exciting addition to this year’s offerings, a pop-up exhibition will also be held during Design Weekend Osaka at Nakatsu, featuring unconventional designs and materials from a variety of creators.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, arrangements for NEXT YEAR’S #NEW NORMAL 6 project have begun. The focus will remain on small manufacturing businesses that wish to explore new products and collaborative opportunities. The project encourages business owners grappling with product development, designer collaborations, or interested in expanding professionally to international markets to participate, as they will be provided with a practical platform for growth as well as PR opportunities through exhibitions.

For more information on participation, potential candidates can access detailed admission criteria on the official website.

Sponsors and Collaborators

Special thanks to Arakawa Giken Co., Ltd., for their continued support since the project's inception in 2020. Founded in 1975, they developed the world's first wire gripper, reinforcing their commitment to innovate through collaboration with designers for new value creation.

For further details about the project, visit NEW NORMAL's official site or explore the collaborative works displayed on social media platforms such as Instagram @creative_without_catalogue.