umbrella to product/artwork with a touch of sustainability / Houko Inoue
by Hiroki Yanagisawa on November 13, 2009 2:51 PM
Houko Inoue／井上萌子
Who could have thought about creating a bag, apron, tent, or even art pieces like a lantern by utilizing umbrellas? Houko Inoue could.
Who could have thought about creating a bag, apron, tent, or even art pieces like a lantern by utilizing umbrellas? Houko Inoue could.
Houko, currently studying sustainable design as a graduate student at Tokyo Zokei University, has initiated CASA Project in 2006. The project is to utilize used umbrellas (both cloth and frame) to create something with a new value, and conduct a workshop to promote a fun of self-creation.
When she was studying architecture during her undergraduate years in Shiga, she was given a project. It was to "utilize materials that can be recycled and create a space that people can walk in". That's the time when the idea of an umbrella came in. Though she didn't use this idea for the project, she had made her first piece, tent, by herself from no longer used umbrella's cloth. "When I put it out on a park for a photo shooting, many kids came out to the tent and began playing around with it. With my architecture project, all I've made was drawings and models. It was simply fulfilling for me to see kids actually playing with my creation. Plus, when I saw the kids having fun, I thought they are surely having fun--no frills involved. That's the time I decided that I should explore the world of CASA further."
Houko has produced many works over 3 years, and there were some attentions from media as well. In October 2009, Houko was asked to have an exhibition for apm mall, one of the most vibrant shopping malls in Hong Kong developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties. It was to celebrate 60th anniversary of China.
"As a next step, I am looking for a material other than an umbrella to conduct such creation." Houko grins.
NAME: Houko Inoue(井上萌子)
EXPERTISE: product design / artwork production with an idea of sustainability
BASED: Tokyo
INSPIRATIONAL SOURCE: work by Kodue Hibino
If you wish to contact Houko for project opportunities, please contact via edgyjapan.jp.
When she was studying architecture during her undergraduate years in Shiga, she was given a project. It was to "utilize materials that can be recycled and create a space that people can walk in". That's the time when the idea of an umbrella came in. Though she didn't use this idea for the project, she had made her first piece, tent, by herself from no longer used umbrella's cloth. "When I put it out on a park for a photo shooting, many kids came out to the tent and began playing around with it. With my architecture project, all I've made was drawings and models. It was simply fulfilling for me to see kids actually playing with my creation. Plus, when I saw the kids having fun, I thought they are surely having fun--no frills involved. That's the time I decided that I should explore the world of CASA further."
Houko has produced many works over 3 years, and there were some attentions from media as well. In October 2009, Houko was asked to have an exhibition for apm mall, one of the most vibrant shopping malls in Hong Kong developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties. It was to celebrate 60th anniversary of China.
"As a next step, I am looking for a material other than an umbrella to conduct such creation." Houko grins.
NAME: Houko Inoue(井上萌子)
EXPERTISE: product design / artwork production with an idea of sustainability
BASED: Tokyo
INSPIRATIONAL SOURCE: work by Kodue Hibino
If you wish to contact Houko for project opportunities, please contact via edgyjapan.jp.
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