
'the invisibles' is the result of the latest collaboration between japanese designer tokujin yoshioka
and kartell's president, claudio luti. the series comes ten years after the 'invention'
of transparency, in which kartell expresses a new stylistic approach to 'invisible furniture'.
'the invisibles' will be on show during milan design week 2010 at the kartell flagstore.
first image
'invisible', 2010
'the invisibles' is a range of furniture: tables, sofas, armchairs and benches yoshioka
has designed for kartell where the play of the evanescence of transparency is all-encompassing.
the pieces share a lightness, complete in transparency, but still have a feeling of solidness -
the maxi forms exhibiting a thickness which has never been seen in polycarbonate design
pieces previously. the series is a continuation of yoshioka's exploration of the ethereal,
combined with kartell's desire to invest in its own technological 'know-how' in order to give life
to new forms.

'invisible', 2010

tokujin yoshioka sitting on 'invisible'

'invisible' table
'in recent years, I have proposed designs, which include natural phenomena and invisible elements
such as sense, wind and light. 'the invisibles' is a special collection for kartell which leaves one
with the sense of sitting in the air. the presence of the object is eradicated and creates a scene
where the sitter appears to be floating. it is as if the physical presence of the object has been uprooted
and gives life to a 'floating scenario'. even the installation ('snowflake') gives visitors the sensation
of entering an unreal world.' - TY

'snowflake', 2010
'snowflake' is a poetic installation in which yoshioka creates a serene world with multiple
transparent prism sticks in plastic. this mass accumulation of transparent elements,
are tainted with white to give the effect of snow.

one of the plastic prism sticks which will be used to create the effect of 'snow'

'invisible' chair sketch

'snowflake' installation sketch
Cannot wait to see that installation. Tokujin Yoshioka has a great instinct for space alteration.
Of course many of Shiro Kuramata’s illusions of form come into mind. “How High the Moon Armchair”, “Glass Chair” “Miss Blanche”… Design Boom published them time ago http://www.designboom.com/portrait/kuramata03.html
Tokujin Yoshioka studied design under Shiro Kuramata (from 1987 to 1988).
I guess it is kind of ‘hommage’ to a great master, at least
on a subconscious level.
Love Tokujin’s work! Especially his experimentation with chemistry to create product.
However, 4 slabs of thick polycarbonate glued together in this time in history is hedonistic. And having worked for Kuramata makes it all the worse. His experimentation with tranparency is to be commended but without consciousness, a travesty.
I think this work is really beautiful
faf – I don’t think it is glued together.
Kartell is usually more inventive.
you would see the glue and it would be ugly.
I guess Tokujin Yoshioka has a more lightweight and cleaner solution in mind.
dont think his ‘invisible’ H sketch would go down well in say…
well, I probably wont need to say, and I bet this comment gets censored anyways…