Mihoya Glass x YeongKyu YOO
Japan Creative is a non-profit organization founded to respond to the destructive earthquake of March 2011, an event that led to some rethinking of the aesthetics and value of design.
The first exhibition of Japan Creative showcased prototypes for six specialty product collaborations: Oigen x Jasper Morrison, Hinoki Kogei x Peter Marigold, Pioneer x Paul Cocksedge, Mihoya Glass x Yeongkyu Yoo, Koubei-gama x Inga Sempe, and Dome Carbon
Mihoya Glass - Japan
Founded in 1909 in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo, this business started out as a glass store that produced mainly glass lamp covers. The store made a shift when the current, third-generation owner, Tomohiko Mihoya, met Shiro Kuramata (one of Japan's most important designers). Since then, they have been striving to meet the requests of designers and artists in realizing their most innovative designs for glass products.
Yeongkyu Yoo, a designer with innovative creativity who skillfully uses the latest technology, has brought out the best in the highly skilled artisans of Mihoya Glass. His theme for our project was: “A fusion of the most traditional and the most futuristic.” The simplicity of his design and the artisan’s spirit among the professionals of the Mihoya Glass, who are even more inspired when faced with difficult challenges, are combined to produce an innovative design that is marvelously fresh and new to viewers.
Floating glass - A potential for new expression
The moment when two transparent droplets intersect beautifully as they fall under gravity
The prototype was first exhibited at Salone Milan in 2012, organized by japan creative, and later in Tokyo, Japan.
"We were captivated by the beauty of JC 04, a glass light that uses magnets to float in mid air. It was produced by Tokyo-based artisan glass company Mihoya Glass in collaboration with Korean designer Yeongkyu Yoo." - Vogue Magazine
To keep the 8 kilograms of product in the air, magnetic levitation components from CREALEV in the Netherlands were used.
I can't even count how many late nights I spent working on this project. From the first meeting in Tokyo with Mihoya-san, a visionary and innovative artisan who loves challenging work and has a great eye for design, I knew I was in for something special. Bringing together the latest technology with the most traditional industry to express beauty in a unique way, and the process of actually making it happen was enjoyable. One night, a brilliant idea came to me and I found a Dutch company that could produce the technology. Everyone loved the concept, and after many tests, it finally came to fruition. I will never forget the cheers from the people as the product, weighing over 8kg, floated in the air with stability.
I am deeply grateful to the Japan Creative team and designer Jin Kuramoto for their collaboration in making this product a success." -- Yeongkyu YOO
I am deeply grateful to the Japan Creative team and designer Jin Kuramoto for their collaboration in making this product a success." -- Yeongkyu YOO
이 프로젝트를 위해 얼마나 많은 밤을 새웠는지 셀 수도 없을 정도입니다. 도전적인 작업을 좋아하고 디자인에 대한 뛰어난 안목을 가진 선구적이고 혁신적인 장인인 미호야 씨를 도쿄에서 처음 만났을 때부터 저는 뭔가 특별한 일을 할 수 있을 거라는 것을 알았습니다. 가장 전통적인 산업에 최신 기술을 접목하여 독특한 방식으로 아름다움을 표현하는 것, 그리고 그것을 실제로 실현하는 과정은 정말 즐거웠습니다. 그러던 어느 날 밤, 기발한 아이디어가 떠올랐고 이 기술을 생산할 수 있는 네덜란드 회사를 찾았습니다. 모두가 이 콘셉트를 좋아했고, 여러 번의 테스트 끝에 마침내 결실을 맺었습니다. 8kg이 넘는 제품이 안정적으로 공중에 떠 있을 때 사람들의 환호를 잊지 못할 것입니다 이 제품을 성공으로 이끈 일본 크리에이티브 팀과 디자이너 진 쿠라모토에게 깊은 감사를 표합니다. - 유영규
R&D : Jin Kuramoto,
Designer, born in 1976 in Hyogo Prefecture. After graduating from Kanazawa College of Art, he joined a consumer electronics manufacturer. After working as an in-house designer, he established JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO in 2008. Currently based in Japan and China, he designs and develops a wide variety of products, including home appliances, furniture, and home furnishings, and has received numerous awards, including the iF Design Award.
Photo : Japan creative
Assistant designer: Youngduck Song(cloudandco)
