Erina Matsui × nendo Oki Sato
Erina Matsui is an artist who recently opened her own atelier. Now, of all things, she has released merchandise made in collaboration with Oki Sato of “nendo.”
In 2017, the art floor of Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store marked its 110th anniversary. Looking toward the next 110 years, the art floor of Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store is taking on new fields. We present a collaboration between a young artist and a designer, both active on the world stage. Erina Matsui is a young artist who drew attention after Fondation Cartier purchased her work while she was still a university student. And Oki Sato is the head of the design office nendo, whose exceptional talent drew attention at Milano Salone, where he exhibited right after finishing graduate school, and who in 2006 was selected by Newsweek magazine as one of the “100 Japanese People Respected by the World.” As part of “Only MI,” a group campaign by Isetan Mitsukoshi that plans and proposes high-quality, original products, we will hold a limited sale at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store of this collaboration work by these two figures in the spotlight, who will carry Japan’s “beauty” into the next generation.
Mitsukoshi Main Building 6F, Art & Craft Salon
I dashed into the sales floor right after the store opened. The floor was decorated with axolotls, as if Erina Matsui’s worldview had taken it over.
The realistic three-dimensional objects were probably also made by Erina Matsui. They’re adorable.
The little axolotl is showing off with a sexy pose. Is it a girl?
The plush toys were also piled up in great numbers. The quality of these little guys was simple.
It takes up a fairly large dedicated space.
The 6th floor of the Mitsukoshi Main Building, where refined artworks are lined up in rows, was in such an otherworldly state that it made me laugh. Applause to the person in charge who gave the OK!
The box inscriptions on all 110 pieces are handwritten by Erina Matsui. Each one is subtly different, which is charming.
I was the very first to buy one on the opening day. I purchased the tulip axolotl, which I thought was the cutest. I could choose any edition I liked, but the single-digit numbers were already almost sold out (reserved?). By the way, the edition numbers are handwritten too.
What do you think? It’s got a nice feel, right!
Overview
Erina Matsui × nendo- Metamor Wooper Space Cup
■March 7 (Wed) – 20 (Tue)
■Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Building 6F, Art & Craft Salon
Cup: dia. 9.1 × H 9 cm; axolotl: 12.8 (L) × 6.5 (W) × 2 cm (H) ／ made of silicone, with wooden box
10,800 yen
*Limited to 110 pieces in total, with edition numbers
