Are you aware of the Japanese company Muji? The name is a contraction of a phrase meaning "No brand, quality goods". They have half a dozen shops in London. You can read about the company and its philosophy here. Everyday items, well designed, sustainable, minimum packaging - stationery, homewares, basic garments.
They have recently opened a store in Hong Kong, and to celebrate, they invited artist Tatsuya Tanaka to produce some artworks featuring their products. I've posted about TT before, here in 2017. He uses regular items as the basis for minuscule works of art. Look at the ones he has come up with for Muji
He made a tiny Muji store using various items, stationery bits and small shopfitting components. Then he did lots of pieces which have witty names referencing the products used.
I like the jeans waves on the socks beach, and the ice-cream store... His attention to detail is fantastic
Finally, to the delight of the residents of Hong Kong, he recreated Victoria Harbour and its iconic skyline - using Muji products for the buildings, a brush for the circular exhibition centre, a toothbrush for the pier - and staplers to represent the ferries which carry passengers back and forth,
What a clever guy, what a lovely shop!
What a clever guy, what a lovely shop!
Those miniatures are delightful. I used to love spending time in muji when we were in London. Their goods were so varied, and so different.
ReplyDeleteThey have closed their Manchester store now, which is a shame imho
DeleteThey are so fun and clever! I used to like Muji when I was a student in London!
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DeleteI always enjoy a visit to Muji when we go up to London and always come back with several things. That is a shame the Manchester store has closed. The sky line of Hong Kong is genius and looks very like the real thing. I especially like the stapler ferries. I visited Hong Kong quite a while ago now to stay with a friend who was nursing out there, and I think the artist has captured it perfectly. Very clever. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteTo have been to HK and recognise the model is great. The ferries are a genius idea!
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