From a functional piece to a work of art: the Ishinomaki stool reimagined by Filipino artists and designers

By Tricia Quintero
November 19, 2021

---

Ishinomaki Laboratory started with a simple vision: help communities bounce back from the aftermath of Tohoku tsunami triggered by the Great East Japan earthquake in 2011 through a humble piece of furniture: a stool. The aim was to conduct furniture workshops within the communities to rebuild what was destroyed by the tsunami and make it simple and easy to make by normal people.

Ten years later, this spirit of education and collaboration still lives on. Ishinomaki Laboratory prides itself as the world’s first DIY label and continues to spread the potential of DIY and good design all over the world. A humble stool that was intended as a quick response to a community in need became a catalyst for sustainable creation and world-class craftsmanship. The Ishinomaki stool was made part of the V&A Museum as a testament of iconic design.

As Ishinomaki Laboratory expanded through their Made in Local initiative, it has found itself a partnership in the Philippines with Lamana. And to celebrate its tenth year, ten Filipino creatives took the Ishinomaki stool as their canvases and reimagined it through their personal takes expressing their creativity. The humble Ishinomaki stool has once again been elevated—from a functional piece to a work of art.

Gabriel Lichauco

Lilianna Manahan

Paloma Urquijo Zobel

Carl Jan Cruz

Eric Paras

Blok Magnaye

Jason Buensalido

Fitz Herrera

Ryan Villamael

Leeroy New

Among the local artists tapped were Jason Buensalido, Carl Jan Cruz, Fitz Herrera, Gabriel Lichauco, Blok Magnaye, Lilianna Manahan, Leeroy New, Eric Paras, Ryan Villamael, and Paloma Urquijo Zobel. They also partnered with Salcedo Auctions to auction off these works. The proceeds will go to the conservation efforts of Masungi Georeserve, a multi-awarded conservation area and geopark in Baras, Rizal.

The auction is happening live and online on November 27 at 2:00PM. To register as bidder or view the pieces, you may contact Salcedo Auctions at [email protected] or 0917 107 5581. Please reach out to Lamana for special access as an online bidder for these pieces.

---

Related posts: