Project

Floating Futures



Designer

Renato Japi & Tomáš Krejčí


Brand

Floating Futures


Partners

Kavalier Glass, Fatra, Tomas Bata University in Zlin


Location

Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store - Floor 2


Address

1 Chōme-7-1 Shinsaibashisuji, Chūō-ku, Osaka



The experimental works that form the installation Floating Futures, by artists Renato Japi and Tomáš Krejčí evoke a feeling of abstract futurism. The collection of large scale sculptural objects combine glass with custom handmade inflatables. Half of the pieces stand in translucent plinths and the other float in the air, creating a three dimensional penetrable space.
The installation explores the coexistence of two elements: glass and inflatable forms. An experiment in the visual relations between them as well as their constructive properties. In some cases, you can see the symbiosis of these elements. In other cases, inflatable parts create support for glass vases or light objects, making them dependent on each other. This forms do not acknowledge the limits of art and design.
This project received a grant from Tomas Bata University in Zlin and the pieces were all handmade in three different locations in Czech Republic. The borosilicate glass parts were handmade by glass master in Kavalier Glass, blown glass vases by master in Valašské Meziříčí and the inflatables were handmade by Tomáš Krejčí with the guidance of a master in the Fatra factory.

Location in Fuorisalone 2019:
Ventura Future, BASE Milano - Via Ventura, 54 Milano, Milan — Italy

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Photo © Studio pictures David Mackovič
Designer interview

Renato Japi & Tomáš Krejčí






Born in 1979 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Renato Japi lives in Lisbon since 2013. He holds a Bachelor degree in Design, a Master of Art and Glass Science from Universidade Nova de Lisboa and a PhD in Fine Arts candidate from University of Lisbon. His long creative career began in 1998 and spanned areas as diverse as digital design, fashion design, space design. Currently he is developing his personal and sculptural view of object design and installation art. In his experimental body of work glass is a recurring and central material and he has become increasingly interested in multimedia installations, photography, film and soundscapes. Recently he have exhibited his work in several European countries, such as Portugal, Italy, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, seeking an intimate relationship between the exhibition spaces and the imaginary spaces he creates, favoring multiple atmospheres and engagements.


Tomáš Krejčí was born in 1994, Ostrava, Czech Republic. He holds a Bachelor and Master degree in Fine Arts - Glass design from Tomas Bata University in Zlin. Currently he is a PhD candidate in Fine Arts - Glass design from TBU Zlin. Works with Glass since he studies at High Glass School in Valašské Meziříčí department of Art glass and lighting objects between the years 2010 – 2014. During the study period at Tomas Bata University in Zlin he was interested in the combination of different materials and glass. His focus is in product design and art. Site specific installations are also part of his expression. During his exchange period at Haute école des arts du Rhin in Strasbourg he used photography and graphic techniques for capturing the pulsating industrial city as one of his main themes in his work. Currently he is using many different glass techniques including blown, melted and flat glass. His projects are experimental in search for new points of view. His works were recently exhibited in european cities like Prague, London, Milan, Frankfurt am Main, Strasbourg and others.


Video shooted in Fuorisalone 2019:
Ventura Future, BASE Milano - Via Ventura, 54 Milano, Milan — Italy

Website:
www.floatingfutures.com

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