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Turn scaffolding into a playground. Creator Iwasawa brothers × create three-dimensional fixtures for events at ASNOVA
Knowledge Capital's 10th anniversary special event, "Knowledge Capital's Latest Report," was held at Knowledge Plaza in Osaka on Friday, June 2, 2023.
As one of the events, a participatory content "Unnecessary Things Distribution Center" was held using ASNOVA's scaffolding.
The space concept of the "Unnecessary Goods Distribution Center" was created by the two Iwasawa brothers of the creative unit.
Why did you decide to use scaffolding? And what is the thought behind this content?
We interviewed Mr. Kajitani of ASNOVA, who was in charge of this event.
Text: Sayaka Mitsuda Photo: Sho Kobayashi
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PROIFILE
- Iwasawa Brothers
- Born in Chiba Prefecture. A creative unit consisting of brothers Hitoshi Iwasawa and Takashi Iwasawa. With the motto of "The interesting and fun relationship between things, events, and people," they are involved in spatial design and product design across the country.
- Riichiro Kajitani
- Joined ASNOVA in April 2022.
Make fun use of "scaffolding" that doesn't usually appear on the surface
Q. Could you tell us how this event came about?
Hitoshi Iwasawa (hereinafter referred to as Hitoshi): In 2015, we implemented the "Giant Unnecessary Gacha Gacha" project by Daily Portal Z at the same Knowledge Capital as this time, and the Iwasawa brothers created a giant gacha gacha. With an order from Knowledge Capital, we decided to make it on a larger scale this time, and we ended up with the output of things using scaffolding.
Takashi Iwasawa (hereinafter referred to as Takashi): I originally knew that ASNOVA was offering scaffolding at events. They were actively doing a lot of things, and I thought it was an interesting company. When I was providing content for this event, I thought of ASNOVA when I thought of someone who could do what I wanted to do with them, so I contacted them.
Hitoshi: I think scaffolding is something that doesn't usually come out. I thought it was interesting to dare to express that. I wanted to create something that felt uncomfortable in which something that I didn't care about on a daily basis would play a leading role, so I proceeded with the meeting led by Mr. Kajitani, who was in charge.
Q. What did you think when you received the inquiry from the Iwasawa Brothers?
Kajitani: At first, I had a hard time understanding, "Is it possible to make a work using scaffolding?" However, as I listened to the contents, I was amazed at the creator's ideas, and I wanted to help.
I am very happy that ASNOVA was chosen from among the many scaffolding companies that are likely to do what I want to do with them.
"Unwanted Goods Logistics Center" where you can experience a recycling-oriented society
Q. Please tell me about the Unwanted Items Logistics Center.
Takashi: The themes of "recycling" and "upcycling" were included from the "Giant Unwanted Things Gachapon" era onwards, so I started thinking of ideas that could be expanded on those themes.
In particular, we were particular about how we could let people enjoy watching things circulate around us. We live in a convenient world where you can order something you want online and have it delivered to your home the next day. But we thought that surprisingly, people don't really think about the "background" of what goes on behind the scenes. We aimed to let people enjoy and participate in the process of someone's thing passing through someone else's hands and arriving at someone else's place in a visible way.
Kajitani: As we worked on the project together, I was amazed at how the two of you came up with one idea after another. With each opinion, the ideas were refined, so I had fun working on it.
In this way, I realized that having fun while doing it will also lead to enjoyment for the viewers.
Hitoshi: ASNOVA took on most of the work involved in scaffolding, from design to model making, assembly, and dismantling. Even if we tried to do it ourselves, we didn't have a firm grasp of the characteristics of scaffolding, or rather, usability, so we thought it would be better to leave it to the professionals.
Scaffolding decided to lend us a second-hand item. ASNOVA suggested that I should get a new one, but I thought it would be good because it was scratched and had paint on it, so I used a scaffolding with a sense of use.
Q.What is the experience like at the "Unwanted Items Logistics Center"?
Takashi: First, participants bring their "unwanted items" to the reception desk. There, they exchange them for plastic bottle caps and spin the gachapon machine. They receive a cardboard box from a rack with the same number as the number that came out of the capsule, which contains "unwanted items" that someone brought beforehand. That's how it works. By having participants take the cardboard box outside, we thought we could spread this initiative not only inside the venue but also outside.
Hitoshi: I was really happy to see that some people were taking photos of not only the items they exchanged, but also the logistics center itself. I think they were able to get a sense of the "background of everyday life" that we were aiming for.
Also, I think we were able to create something that looks cool. The well-worn scaffolding texture looks like fashionable vintage furniture.
Takashi: I was happy that ASNOVA and the others were able to see this "Unwanted Items Logistics Center" in action.
We are not from the perspective of ASNOVA scaffolding users, but from the standpoint of "let's do something interesting together", so I think this event was very meaningful in terms of aligning our values.
For ASNOVA, scaffolding is something that is part of everyday life. It was good that by seeing and feeling it objectively, the people of ASNOVA were able to feel together in the field that "there is such a way to use scaffolding" and "this is how it is appreciated."
The future of "scaffolding Possibilities"
Q.How did you feel about the "potential of scaffolding" through the event?
Hitoshi: This time, we used scaffolding as a "shelf," but unlike trusses and steel racks, scaffolding can be assembled freely in length and depth, and it is strong enough for people to sit on top of it, so I felt that it was very easy to use. In the future, it may be a good idea to take advantage of such characteristics and try a three-dimensional maze. It would be great if you could rearrange it on the same day and the next day it would be a completely new route. In that sense, I think that by adding something to scaffolding, we can create a completely new way of using it that is easily accepted by the general public.
In fact, if there was a scaffolding, I would like to climb it! I think that alone is fun enough.
Takashi: In our daily activities, we combine various materials to create products, and I realized that scaffolding is a very usable material. I think it goes well with digital technology.
Scaffolding has a certain degree of crampedness with fixed dimensions, isn't it? The combination of such ready-made dimensions and free objects is an excellent match for prototyping. It was a good match for us, who combine digital and analog manufacturing, so I would like to continue to take on the challenge of using scaffolding together with various industries and business categories.
Hitoshi: I usually propose interesting combinations of certain things. In order to convey the message that the combination of scaffolding and this material is interesting, I need to learn more about scaffolding first. By getting to know the material itself deeply and increasing the number of drawers, you will be able to express yourself more. Maybe I'll contact ASNOVA again in a light way.
Kajitani: That's very welcome! Through this event, we also learned from both of them about the potential of scaffolding. As one of my great confidence, I would like to continue to be interested in various things in the future.
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