the essential showcase for exceptional design, held at pier 94, offers consumers and design trade attendees the opportunity to discover and source products from hundreds of luxury residential and hospitality brands. from furniture, accessories, lighting and art, to kitchen, bath, building products, hardware, flooring and more, the event is the premier destination to view the latest innovations and introductions from independent makers and renowned manufacturers. what else is in store? a chance to mingle with design world luminaries who are making appearances and shopping the aisles, plus enjoy interactive culinary demonstrations by top chefs, inspiring installations, private book signings, and behind-the-scenes vip tours.
when i rounded the corner of tomomi sayuda’s booth at ICFF she was holding a handful of translucent eggs and placing them into the pods of her light and sound-based sculpture, sending her captivated audience atwitter.
The sculpture itself is a round, nest-like structure made of very soft spun yarn. It’s called Oshibe, the Japanese word for stamen, which is what each pod, five in all, were initially inspired by.
When each egg is placed in a stamen it glows and emits “tender, ambient sound.” The combined effect when all five are in action is like birds quietly chirping in a forest. Unlike the other products as ICFF, Oshibe might not serve a specific purpose or solve a problem, but touching the nest, placing the eggs and listening to the sound they make instantly relaxes you and sets your mind at ease, which is more than can be said about even the most cutting edge designs ICFF had to offer.
Designer: tomomi sayuda
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