Alternative Design

We're all searching for alternatives to the mass-production, mass-consumption model. But even knowing how vital it is to find sustainable, plastic-free options, it can be hard to change our lives unless pleasure is also in the mix. Fun, alternative designs in Japan offer the chance to make or repair products instead of buying new. Guest creator Mukasa Taro explores a world of new and diverse designs!

Transcript

00:08

A tote bag made from used highway banners.

00:15

Offcuts from a wood workshop turned into earrings.

00:21

How do we escape the cycle of mass production and consumption?

00:27

In search of an alternative path, many people are opting to express themselves through handcrafted designs made from old or disused items.

00:38

Our guest is toy designer Mukasa Taro.

00:41

As part of the creative unit Zarigani Works, he produces charming, comical capsule toys.

00:50

He joins us on an exploration of the fun side of alternative designs.

00:56

From toys that turn plastic waste into new insects, to headdresses featuring beloved items.

01:03

Alternative designs have limitless possibilities.

01:11

Hello. Welcome to Design Talks Plus, I'm, Andrea Pompilio.

01:14

Hi, I'm Shaula.

01:15

So, today we'll be exploring the topic of "Alternative Designs" - unconventional choices to mass production and consumption.

01:23

Our guest is a toy designer who has created a number of very playful capsule toys.

01:27

We have Mukasa Taro.

01:29

Welcome.

01:30

- Hello. Welcome to the show.
- Hello.

01:32

I have so many fond memories of capsule toys.

01:36

I loved them so much in my youth!

01:40

Really?

01:41

You've designed countless capsule toys as part of your creative unit.

01:46

We have these charms in the studio with us that look like someone making a kneeling apology.

01:51

They were a massive hit, selling over three million units.

01:55

That's right.

01:55

Why do you think they sold so well?

01:59

I wanted to express the melancholy fate of the office worker.

02:03

That resonated with a lot of people.

02:06

Also, you can create new stories with them by pairing them with other figures, which is another fun element.

02:13

Or apologize by handing this to someone?

02:17

I bet some people do, yes!

02:20

A token of my apologies!

02:22

Do you have any thoughts about "alternative design?"

02:25

First and foremost, that it needs to be fun.

02:29

It might go without saying, but I think that making sure something is fun is extremely important.

02:37

For example, when we discuss truly vital issues such as climate change, mixing in elements of enjoyment and interest to your message can help get it more attention.

02:47

I believe that capsule toys and other playthings can play a role in this dynamic.

02:53

That's my perspective.

02:56

Interesting.

02:59

Pine cones, old household items and trash are being assembled into unique insects at a popular children's workshop.

03:11

It's a collaboration between Zarigani Works and Nihon University's design course.

03:18

Titled "Creative Insects: Mushibot," wooden legs are glued to any material participants choose, creating unique insect toys: an alternative design to prepackaged plastic toys.

03:35

A plastic bottle cap becomes a head or feelers.

03:39

The corner of a plastic container becomes a shell.

03:43

New insect varieties are born from the properties of household waste.

03:51

Grown-ups are always saying, "Let's pick up trash and make something with it, because that's a good thing to do."

03:57

I'd hate that, especially if I were a kid.

04:01

That's not the point.

04:03

It's much more exciting to notice the shape of a lid for the first time.

04:08

To examine all the different pieces and choose which one looks the coolest.

04:15

Those discoveries are what's important.

04:19

It gives a new perspective and changes the way we look at trash.

04:22

That's what I hope we achieve through the workshop.

04:30

Mukasa left Tokyo seven years ago to live in the leafy countryside.

04:36

He got to know his new home's resources and began making alternative capsule toys called "Chisan Gacha," for his new neighbors.

04:47

From wooden key chains to miniature logs and even charcoal.

04:51

The capsules are packed with forest resources.

05:01

Inside is not a plastic toy but genuine charcoal.

05:10

Mukasa lives in Fujino, to the southwest of Tokyo.

05:14

Charcoal is still burned here.

05:18

Capsule toys are a fun design for learning about local resources.

05:24

Mukasa adds his unique comical touch.

05:30

This is actually just a section of a stick I picked up.

05:33

But we rarely stop and really examine things like this.

05:38

And recreating it faithfully in plastic would be a real pain.

05:45

I wanted people to enjoy the details and the complexity.

05:47

And it's also very in keeping with capsule toys in that it feels like a bit of a letdown!

05:53

"What?! It's just a stick!" You know?

05:57

He's recently taken on a new challenge: art workshops for children.

06:10

I've always loved making things.

06:12

I've been making things ever since I was a kid.

06:18

I realized that the only real freedom I had felt at school was when I was in art and crafts class.

06:27

Now, watching the kids create, watching them try all kinds of things...

06:32

It's very clear to me that enjoyment is a huge factor in human behavior.

06:40

I really think we should be leveraging this much more as a tool for improving the world.

06:46

Turning fun into action.

06:50

Andy and Shaula explore Mukasa's alternative ideas.

06:56

We have some completed insect kits in the studio.

06:58

- They're all unique and so fun!
- Yes.

07:02

I love the orange net at the back of this one.

07:05

Wow. It works!

07:08

Yes.

07:09

- Not a real species, but it's an insect.
- Yes.

07:13

What inspired this workshop?

07:17

I personally wanted kids to enjoy letting their imaginations run free.

07:21

I wanted every possible outcome to be "right."

07:26

This was the result.

07:30

It breathes life into household waste.

07:34

You're turning it into something new.

07:36

In terms of raw volume, this doesn't actually make use of that much waste - it's not a solution to trash in itself.

07:44

But kids can touch these materials and realize that this type of plastic is about this thick, or notice how this object is made in a certain way.

07:54

That experience might help lead to new revelations down the road.

07:58

- For sure.
- Definitely.

08:00

We all see so much waste.

08:02

Realizing it can be turned into treasure is a real discovery.

08:06

There's really no such thing as trash.

08:09

Yes, exactly!

08:10

You could say that.

08:11

Interesting.

08:12

That's wonderful.

08:15

I've brought some insect kits with me today.

08:18

It has a base with six legs, and we add new materials on top of that.

08:23

All you need to do is add some glue, and you can make any bug shape you want.

08:29

With a bit of trash from home...

08:32

Plastic from yesterday's grapes...

08:35

We're going to transform them!

08:37

Shall we?

08:39

Let's do it!

08:40

Wow. It's been a while.

08:48

I'm thinking about cutting out wings.

08:51

That could make for a fun shape.

08:54

It looks like a wing, right?

08:56

Yes.

08:58

I'm just making this up as I go.

09:00

That's great, just make parts.

09:02

Exactly.

09:06

This is fun, isn't it?

09:08

It really is.

09:10

Although I don't have much in the way of talent for these things.

09:14

It could turn out interesting!

09:17

Is this right?

09:24

I'm done! Here.

09:27

- That's amazing!
- Wow!

09:31

What did you use?

09:33

Padding from a chocolate box.

09:35

- Ah!
- Right!

09:37

So that's the head?

09:39

Yes.

09:39

Futuristic.

09:42

Or alien, maybe?

09:43

- Yes!
- Definitely.

09:45

"Sci-Fi Seaweed Wrap Bug."

09:48

You're good with names! And yours, Shaula?

09:52

Ta-da! Here it is.

09:55

Nice wings!

09:56

It's lovely.

09:58

It is.

09:59

A little birdlike?

10:01

Maybe?

10:02

Bird bug.

10:04

A bird bug.

10:05

It's big - I wouldn't want it flying at me!

10:09

Bird bug - isn't that a real thing?

10:11

I feel like it is.

10:13

That was really fun!

10:14

It was.

10:15

- Thank you.
- Thank you!

10:18

This takes me back!

10:19

These are "chisan," or "locally produced" capsule toys.

10:24

Chisan Gacha, yes.

10:25

Chisan Gacha.

10:27

Hmm, I'll try the key ring, I think.

10:30

OK.

10:31

Here it comes!

10:33

Ta-da! There's a list of possible wood types.

10:37

This is zelkova, with an N and one star.

10:41

The "N" is for normal.

10:44

Not rare.

10:45

Ahh okay.

10:46

I'll try charcoal.

10:51

That's chrysanthemum charcoal, from an oak.

10:54

It's rare!

10:55

Japanese tea ceremonies only use this particular kind of charcoal for boiling.

10:55

Oh!

11:01

Really?

11:02

I had no idea.

11:05

I like that it comes with a discovery.

11:07

Definitely.

11:08

Most people just think of wood as wood, or charcoal as charcoal.

11:15

By making them into capsule toys, we discover that there's actually chrysanthemum charcoal, and bamboo charcoal...

11:22

I love that you include the real thing.

11:25

We get to experience it.

11:27

You can use charcoal to filter water.

11:30

That's true.

11:30

Oh!

11:31

Or for energy.

11:32

It's useful.

11:33

It would be lovely if it nudged folks into using them.

11:40

I love the idea of presenting local resources inside local toys.

11:45

It feels like the perfect idea for the modern era.

11:49

This says "Cats by Grannies."

11:52

Does this mean local ladies drew a whole series of cat pictures?

11:56

That's right.

11:57

There's this wonderful care home for the elderly not far from my house.

12:03

The ladies who go there created drawings of a cat owned by one of the home's staff members.

12:10

That's lovely!

12:12

It's very sweet.

12:13

A true community design.

12:16

Exactly.

12:17

It is.

12:18

What a great tool.

12:19

I turned the drawings into badges, and the home packs them.

12:23

Into the capsules.

12:24

That's right.

12:26

What an interesting idea.

12:29

Other areas have reached out to me too.

12:32

To make their own toys?

12:33

That's right.

12:34

So it helps boost local areas.

12:37

I think so.

12:38

Trading local specialties between one another and having fun with capsule toys.

12:42

It's an interesting twist, I think.

12:44

For sure.

12:48

At the base of Mt Fuji, one woman is using old fabric in alternative fashion designs.

13:00

I'm wearing something made
by hand over a century ago.

13:06

This is almost entirely made from
old handmade material.

13:11

I love the faded indigo dye.

13:15

You can't recreate naturally
faded color. I love that.

13:25

Horiuchi's living room features a tapestry which puts old repairs front and center.

13:34

The historic fabric she works with is all from kimonos or cloth used during the early 1900s or before.

13:45

Her alternative designs highlight how the items have been repaired over the years.

13:57

She enjoys unpicking old items from antique markets to examine their history.

14:04

It's a linen mosquito net.
Wow, it's layered!

14:12

This was a futon mattress.

14:19

A true slice of life.

14:27

They preserved the scraps
and cared for them.

14:36

Moved by the marks of historic repairs, Horiuchi began making over old cloth around 20 years ago.

14:45

This jacket took two decades and 200 pieces of fabric.

14:52

My first piece was farmwear.
I saw it in the market and bought it.

15:03

I used one of my favorite blouses
as a template.

15:11

But it kept getting holes in it.
So I began repairing it like this.

15:31

A key decision for Horiuchi was to follow historic methods, sewing by hand, and only using running stitch.

15:41

I find sewing by hand
to be quite meditative.

15:47

I'm sharing that activity
with someone from history.

15:56

She's made around 300 items from historic fabric.

16:00

From pants featuring jacket crests to a dress made from cotton towels.

16:08

Horiuchi creates entirely unique, original designs from historic fabric.

16:14

Today, the soft comfort present in her work attracts many fans from across Japan to her exhibitions.

16:23

She also has a growing number of like-minded friends.

16:29

Someone said that wearing my
clothes gives them confidence.

16:39

That they feel excited and supported. That was lovely.

16:49

Repairs made by historic sewers for their families, or to make a living.

16:55

Sewing by hand creates a bond of affection.

17:00

Horiuchi's alternative fashion designs breathe new life into historic fabric.

17:09

How cool.

17:10

What do you think?

17:11

- I love this.
- Yes.

17:14

And it's so soft!

17:15

Oh really?

17:17

Really supple, soft.

17:20

And as Horiuchi-san said, you can't recreate this faded color.

17:24

I can feel her passion in the clothes, but also the story of the fabric itself.

17:31

I'm wearing history right now.

17:36

In some ways, it's really thought-provoking.

17:38

For example, this fabric could have come from a futon that people once slept on.

17:44

For sure.

17:46

And they really took care of it - that in itself feels a little surprising.

17:52

That's what people did, isn't it?

17:54

Exactly.

17:56

We used fabric much more carefully, and repaired any damage.

18:01

That's right.

18:03

That was the traditional lifestyle.

18:07

We have a few other products in the studio, too.

18:10

These tote bags came from a project called "Circulation Highway."

18:15

I'm sure you've seen those big, six-meter banners stretched above the highway, right?

18:21

During roadworks, yeah.

18:23

Yes, exactly.

18:24

Oh yes!

18:25

I know the ones.

18:26

But they're only temporary.

18:29

Sure.

18:30

They can't be reused because of the dates.

18:33

Right.

18:35

So the project turned them into bags.

18:38

So the letters are all completely random?

18:41

Apparently, yes.

18:42

The banners are sent to a workshop and turned into bags.

18:46

The result is always a surprise!

18:48

Interesting - so each one is completely unique.

18:54

These are wooden earrings made by wood designer COCOChi, using the cast-off ends from a lumber store in Shinkiba.

19:03

All the little cut-off pieces that would normally be tossed, turned into earrings.

19:10

I think it's wonderful how accessories, and fashion in general, is moving towards more of a reuse and remake model.

19:20

For a long time, the emphasis was on making totally new statement pieces.

19:25

You know, the bigger the better.

19:29

But I think we're seeing more people look at the whole manufacturing process.

19:33

That's becoming more important.

19:37

And of course, the element of fun.

19:40

Yes.

19:40

Exactly.

19:42

It's important that these designs are exciting, and that we want to wear them.

19:47

And your own clothes?

19:49

This T-shirt...

19:51

A frame.

19:52

It's for my crafting workshop "Create."

19:56

How cool!

19:57

Really!

20:00

You know how if you splash ketchup or soy sauce on your clothes while you eat, it's annoying.

20:05

But this t-shirt turns it into an artwork.

20:12

This jacket is worn by staff when we burn charcoal.

20:15

It's black so that it doesn't stain.

20:18

It says "charcoal" on the back, too.

20:24

Sometimes people see me and say, "That's right, I need to buy charcoal!"

20:29

And we strike up a conversation.

20:31

That's so great.

20:44

This may look like an ikebana class in a Tokyo temple.

20:50

But it's actually a workshop for creating headdresses from visor caps.

21:04

It's the brainchild of Vivienne Sato.

21:07

She's cheered up towns and people across Japan with fun headdresses.

21:14

A fantasy of light and sound.

21:21

I may be unusual but this is
all about finding what's fun.

21:26

That's the root of finding
something that resonates.

21:34

30 local elementary school kids and elderly people are taking part.

21:46

A bright color?

21:48

Not too bright.

21:51

Something more elegant?

21:55

The materials include fake flowers, toys, dress-up items, and other unused or mysterious objects from Vivienne's home.

22:05

Participants can also bring what they want from their own home.

22:12

Headdresses made from much-loved items: from chocolate to dolls.

22:18

Unique decorations let each person create their own personal ideal, something no manufactured item can provide.

22:28

Wearing eye-catching things
on your head has precedent.

22:32

Marie Antoinette in Europe.

22:37

Court nobles in East Asia.

22:42

It can have magic or even
folkloric significance.

22:48

Making and wearing these headdresses
connects us to historical people.

23:01

The neighborhood's everyday landscape is enlivened by headdresses - a walking art exhibition.

23:13

Hello!

23:17

An alternative design that lets people show new facets of their personalities, and express their true selves.

23:27

Headdresses let us show
a little of what's inside us.

23:33

Today, people of all ages get to
make one that fits their clothes.

23:40

That's how it works,
100% of the time.

23:43

People want to showcase
who they are inside.

23:54

Welcome to Bouquets for Sumida: a workshop collection!

24:00

The temple becomes a runway.

24:18

I didn't expect
to have so much fun!

24:20

I felt like a new person.

24:23

I wanted this purple so badly.
Then I added all the others!

24:32

It was so fun, wasn't it?
he loves the sparkly wig!

24:44

Discovering the pleasure of crafting your own world in a headdress.

24:48

This alternative festival is taking off around Japan.

24:55

- So fun!
- Right?

24:58

That looked amazing!

24:59

I think Japanese culture instills the idea that we shouldn't stand out too much.

25:04

Even when we're just little kids.

25:06

But Vivienne is saying, That's not true! Show off what's on the inside!

25:10

I loved seeing the older ladies join in too.

25:13

You'll stand out, people will look, but that's all part of living.

25:17

I thought it was a wonderful lesson.

25:19

I agree.

25:20

I was moved!

25:21

It reminded me just how important self-expression is.

25:25

Whenever I hold my creative workshops for kids, all I need to do is provide an outlet and they all run to express themselves.

25:36

There's no hesitation.

25:38

But with adults, it's a different story.

25:40

I think that kids are true emotional explorers.

25:45

So true!

25:47

Wandering into forests to find interesting plants.

25:50

Diving into the ocean to find fish that look tasty.

25:55

We need to do the same with our hearts - dive in, and pull out whatever looks interesting!

26:02

When I give this little speech to adults, the workshops go a lot more smoothly.

26:07

And they make so many wonderful things!

26:10

They do, huh?

26:11

One woman who came was an empty nester.

26:15

Her kids moving out had become a major turning point in her life.

26:19

She'd been through a lot and she started crying.

26:23

By expressing herself with paper clay, she was able to come to terms with everything that had happened.

26:31

She could talk about it.

26:34

I feel your creative workshops and Vivienne's group classes are both outlets for self-expression.

26:40

Which I think is something that a lot of adults and kids need in this day and age.

26:46

They do.

26:48

I think so.

26:49

Yes.

26:51

Before we come to the end of the program, let's circle back to our theme of Alternative Design.

26:57

What can you say about the future of this field, Mukasa-san?

27:01

I live in the Fujino area and it's a town nestled in the mountains.

27:07

Lots of mixed forests.

27:09

Lovely!

27:11

But so many residents travel to Tokyo for work.

27:14

They don't have time to maintain the local hills, and they can't make a living from them anymore.

27:20

I'd love it if we could stop and consider the local resources we have at our disposal, and then create designs that make use of those resources.

27:32

Designs that place a focus on working with what we already have.

27:38

While also drawing on community designs and social designs.

27:42

Exactly.

27:43

Bringing it all together, and making it fun!

27:46

Enjoyment is key.

27:48

Thanks so much for joining us today.

27:50

- Thank you.
- Thank you.