03.11.2007 /
TOKYO DESIGN WEEK - Kissing Bench
I have arrived in TOKYO for design week with the Kissing Bench and have been making a stand, right outside the arena, well actually, making a seat, or more accurately a bench.
The project is to capture in images as many kisses on the bench as possible, an exercise in pro-active, interactive design.
Just like a ring that’s given at marriage, symbolic in its unbroken form and tough and durable in its material selection, the kissing bench is something that represents the simplicity of love. It begins with two people, those two people must meet, endearing and awkward at first as we hope to capture in the moment, two strangers sit next to and yet facing each other on the kissing bench. Although the strangers or lovers may separate, the kissing bench will always be a bench that can bring together the next couple, or bring another partner to a previous “sitter.” It sounds complicated but the sentiment is not, but it's one that has been made complicated over time and in human thought. This is a nice example of a product that is designed specifically for the people and exhibited in a free and unconditional way without the security of a stand.
The response has been positive so far with lots of kissers, I’ll be blogging them soon!