kenji abe’s jeans, bottle, and ruler embody the charm of the sea

products with a sentiment for the ocean

Kenji Abe presents a collection of products with a sentiment for the ocean. Fun and charming, the series seeks to foster a desirable relationship between humans and the natural and marine environments, as well as to nurture individuals who will support a sustainable world. A pair of jeans evocative of a quick dip in the sea, a rounded glass bottle that recalls a beer stuck into the sand, and a subtly curved ruler symbolizing the Earth together capture fond memories and root us in the natural. The works were exhibited at the 2nd International Conference on Design for Ocean Environments, at the AXIS Gallery in Roppongi, Tokyo.

all images courtesy of Kenji Abe

kenji abe roots us in the natural with playful details

‘R ruler of Horizontal line’ represents the Earth’s radius, spanning 6,378 kilometers. While evoking the straight line of the horizon, with a subtle curve that is imperceivable to the naked eye, it invites contemplation of the Earth’s curvature. Kenji Abe’s nuanced perspective prompts viewers to reconsider their current position on the globe. Drinking beer while gazing at the sea is special moment. However, bringing a table to the sandy beach is challenging, and it is difficult to find a flat surface to place your bottle of beer,’ reminisces the artist. Drawing on this, and the following desire to stick a drink into the sand, he conceives ‘Glass bottle on the beach’ with a playful tapering end.

‘Jeans on the edge of the water’ is an indigo pair of trousers that blend the horizon and imagery of the sea, highlighting how different viewers can draw different interpretations of the same work. The darker lower end of the legs recall the moment of walking up to a coastline and enjoying the view beyond as the waves pool around your legs.

‘R ruler of Horizontal line’