MAKERS & MUSEUMS TOUR JAPAN
Inspired Design: Traditional and Contemporary An exploration of Japan’s traditional and contemporary crafts and, a celebration of the simplicity and workmanship in craft, design and architecture
Join Flow Gallery director, Yvonna Demczynska and museum voyager, Cathy Giangrande and discover for yourself why Japan is the must-see destination for contemporary and historic traditional craft, design, and architecture. You will travel by Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto by way of Matsumoto, Kanazawa, and onwards to Kurashiki via Okayama, followed by Naoshima and lastly Osaka. Along the way, you will visit studios of makers young and longstanding who work in ceramics, wood, textiles and bamboo with technical complexity to create exquisite works. We will explore several of the historic kiln centres and visit museums to learn how pottery has played a significant role in shaping Japanese culture and aesthetics.
We have created an itinerary, based on our tours to the design nations of Finland and Denmark. Private visits to the makers’ studios have been arranged, and there will be opportunities to purchase works directly from the artists.
There will also be visits to leading galleries in Tokyo and elsewhere and here too purchases can be made. Your base in Tokyo will be the centrally located, Cerulean Tower while along the way you’ll experience a traditional Japanese inn. While on the island of Naoshima the sleek Tadao Andō designed Benesse House art museum-hotel will provide you with glorious sea views. Lastly, you’ll spend the last four nights in Kyoto’s boutique guesthouse, Villa Sanjo Muromachi.
Throughout the tour, you will have a chance to experience a diverse range of Japanese cuisine focusing on regional specialities in carefully selected venues. Throughout the tour, a Japanese guide to assist with translations and other arrangements will accompany us.
If you are interested and would like to reserve a place and receive a booking form (indicating required deposit), please contact either Yvonna at Flow, info@ flowgallery.co.uk or Cathy, cathygiangrande@ gmail.com.
