Tokujin Yoshioka named 'Creator of the Year'

Congratulations to Tokujin Yoshioka whose Water Block benches we brought to your attention back in December. He's just been given the grand title of 2012 Creator of the Year. The prize, awarded by French design fair NOW! Design à Vivre and given to someone they believe has had the most impact on the world's creative scene, coincides with an exhibition of Yoshioka's Crystalized Project at Maison & Objet in Paris at the end of this week.

Tokujin Yoshioka, Venus - Natural Crystal Chair (2008)

The Japanese designer has been developing Crystalized Project since 2007. Involving experimentation with crystal water baths and different shapes and sizes of object, Yoshioka's most notable design from the series is perhaps Venus - Natural Crystal Chair (2008), which takes the shape of a square-backed arm chair. Alongside Venus, Yoshioka will be showing an as yet unnamed new work and a number of his crystal "paintings" grown via the vibrations given off by music.

Tokujin Yoshioka, Crystalized Project

Yoshioka tells Phaidon. "The relationship between natural power and human beings is a very important theme in my creation. I would be pleased if Crystalized Project became an opportunity to increase awareness of the essence of nature; its beauty, strength, and the fearful side with its astounding power, and for us to come back to the concept of living within this nature; the Earth."

Yoshioka was born in Saga Prefecture in 1967. After graduating from Kuwasawa Design School in 1986, he worked under Shiro Kuramata and Issey Miyake before becoming a freelance designer in 1992. He has worked on design concepts for Swarovski, Hermes, BMW, Cassina and Kartell. 

Tokujin Yoshioka's Crystalized Project will be showing at Maison & Objet at ZAC Paris Nord 2 from January 20 - 24.

Tokujin Yoshioka, Venus - Natural Crystal Chair (2008)