Latest news with #Aoki
Hypebeast
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Japanese Sculptor Kunimasa Aoki Wins 2025 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize
Summary Since its inception in 2016, theLoewe Foundation Craft Prizehas spotlighted artisanal excellence from around the globe. Founded byJonathan Anderson, the prize was launched to reaffirm the Spanish house's ardent devotion to craft, celebrating makers and artists that champion traditional and innovation in their respective mediums. This year marks a transitional moment for the prize: the first edition following Anderson'sdeparture, with Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez set toleadthe brand into its next chapter. On Thursday night at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, legendary filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar awarded this year's top honor. Taking home the €50,000 EUR prize is Japanese sculptorKunimasa Aokifor his work 'Realm of Living Things 19.' Chosen from more than 4,600 submissions across 133 countries, Aoki's terracotta work stood out for its raw materiality and technical finesse. The jury praised the piece for its 'honest expression of the ancestral coil process' and organic, unfinished beauty. 'In this demonstration of innovative new building techniques, gravity, time and pressure are used to take clay to the limits of its material possibility,'Loeweremarked. Crafted in his signature material, Aoki's winning sculpture is formed from meticulously stacked layers of clay, then coated with a decorative finish of soil, glue and pencil marks, evoking a sense of movement and life within earth's stillness. Based in Kawaguchi, Japan, Aoki studied sculpture at Musashino Art University in Tokyo and later went on to earn a postgraduate degree in art and design. Prior to this year's competition, he also won the Gold Prize at the 9th Japan Art Center Sculpture Competition in Kobe. Special mentions were also awarded to Nigerian designerNifemi Marcus-Bellofor 'TM Bench with Bowl,' and 'Monument' by the Indian collectiveStudio Sumakshi Singh. All 30shortlistedworks, including 'Realm of Living Things 19,' are now on view at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid through June 29 as a part of the Craft Prize exhibition. Head to the Foundation'swebsiteto learn more about this year's works.
Elle
a day ago
- Automotive
- Elle
See the Artwork That Clinched This Year's Loewe Foundation Craft Prize
Craft has always been at the heart of the house of Loewe since its inception in 1848. In 2016, the brand introduced the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, which represents its immense dedication to international craftsmanship, innovation, and design. Last night at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, the finalists gathered for a presentation in front of Loewe's jury of experts, which consisted of past winners, critically acclaimed essayists, architectural designers, museum directors, and curators. The winner of the 2025 honors, and recipient of €50,000, is Kunimasa Aoki for his work 'Realm of Living Things.' Aoki was one of 30 shortlisted artists—chosen from over 4,600 submissions across 133 countries—to compete in the final round. Based in Kawaguchi, Japan, Aoki originally studied at the Department of Sculpture at Musashino Art University in Tokyo before completing a postgraduate degree in art and design. His winning piece is a stunningly intricate sculpture made entirely from his signature medium, terracotta. Inspired by the accumulative effects of nature over time, he manipulated impeccably minute layers of clay through stacking and molding, creating a multidimensional pillar that seems to take on an organic life of its own. The result, from both up close and afar, has a remarkably hypnotic effect. Special mention was given to artists Nifemi Marcus-Bello and Studio Sumaskhi Singh, who competed alongside Aoki. Marcus-Bello's piece, titled 'TM Bench with Bowl,' was inspired in part by his purchase of a secondhand car. Crafted from recycled sand-cast aluminum, the beautifully austere piece is a commentary on both contemporary African life and the waste inherent in modern design. The bench serves as a rebirth for the materials, offering people a space to gather and communicate. For Studio Sumaskhi Singh's final piece, the collective—composed of Birendranath Sarkar, Samarjeet Samarjeet, Bikas Barman, and led by Singh—presented a woven masterpiece titled 'Monument.' The work is a replication of a column from the Qutb Minar Complex of the Delhi Sultanate medieval empire. Copper thread was meticulously woven through a soluble fabric that, when dissolved, revealed the piece's immensely fragile structure. The exhibition at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum is open to the public from May 30–June 29. Tickets are free of charge and available online at
Fashion Network
a day ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Craft and innovation meet in Loewe's 2025 Prize for Japanese artist Kunimasa Aoki
Spanish luxury brand Loewe has announced the winner of its annual contemporary art and craft award. For the 2025 edition of its Craft Prize, Loewe—through its foundation established by the founding family—has honored Japanese artist Kunimasa Aoki for his work 'Realm of Living Things 19.' . Created in 2024, the award-winning piece earned Aoki a €50,000 prize. The sculpture was crafted using anamorphic terracotta and various innovative force-application techniques. It underwent a smoking process and was finished with decorative earth-based materials and pencil markings. The work was recognized for its artistic merit, technical complexity, and innovation, particularly in its interpretation of traditional coiling methods. Aoki was selected from a pool of 30 finalists by a jury of 12 professionals from the worlds of design, architecture, journalism, criticism, and museum curation. Notable jurors included essayist and architect Frida Escobedo, architect and industrial designer Patricia Urquiola, architect Wang Shu, and Olivier Gabet, director of the decorative arts department at the Louvre Museum. In addition to the main prize, the jury also honored Nigerian designer Nifemi Marcus-Bello for his work TM Bench with Bowl, crafted from recycled aluminum and inspired by globalization and power dynamics. Indian studio Sumakshi Singh was also recognized for Monument, a life-size reinterpretation of a 12th-century Delhi colonnade created with copper zari. 'As we celebrate the eighth edition of the prize, I am amazed by the incredible display of ingenuity, beauty, and craftsmanship shown by the finalists. To me, the magic of the prize lies in witnessing the ability of craft to surprise, innovate, and evolve year after year. It is an honor to see how the prize helps keep the craft alive and relevant,' said Sheila Loewe, president of the Loewe Foundation. All finalist works from the latest edition of the international competition—launched by the Loewe Foundation in 2016 in tribute to the house's roots as an artisanal workshop—will be on display from May 30 to June 29 at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid. A digital exhibition of the entries will also be available online for public viewing. Founded in 1846 in Madrid, Loewe is a globally renowned luxury house, owned by French conglomerate LVMH, known for its craftsmanship and original creations. In March, Loewe's creative direction was handed over to design duo Jack McCollough and Lázaro Hernández of Proenza Schouler, following the departure of Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson. Anderson stepped down to take on the role of menswear design director at Dior, another house within French businessman Bernard Arnault 's luxury portfolio.
Fashion Network
a day ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Craft and innovation meet in Loewe's 2025 Prize for Japanese artist Kunimasa Aoki
Spanish luxury brand Loewe has announced the winner of its annual contemporary art and craft award. For the 2025 edition of its Craft Prize, Loewe—through its foundation established by the founding family—has honored Japanese artist Kunimasa Aoki for his work 'Realm of Living Things 19.' . Created in 2024, the award-winning piece earned Aoki a €50,000 prize. The sculpture was crafted using anamorphic terracotta and various innovative force-application techniques. It underwent a smoking process and was finished with decorative earth-based materials and pencil markings. The work was recognized for its artistic merit, technical complexity, and innovation, particularly in its interpretation of traditional coiling methods. Aoki was selected from a pool of 30 finalists by a jury of 12 professionals from the worlds of design, architecture, journalism, criticism, and museum curation. Notable jurors included essayist and architect Frida Escobedo, architect and industrial designer Patricia Urquiola, architect Wang Shu, and Olivier Gabet, director of the decorative arts department at the Louvre Museum. In addition to the main prize, the jury also honored Nigerian designer Nifemi Marcus-Bello for his work TM Bench with Bowl, crafted from recycled aluminum and inspired by globalization and power dynamics. Indian studio Sumakshi Singh was also recognized for Monument, a life-size reinterpretation of a 12th-century Delhi colonnade created with copper zari. 'As we celebrate the eighth edition of the prize, I am amazed by the incredible display of ingenuity, beauty, and craftsmanship shown by the finalists. To me, the magic of the prize lies in witnessing the ability of craft to surprise, innovate, and evolve year after year. It is an honor to see how the prize helps keep the craft alive and relevant,' said Sheila Loewe, president of the Loewe Foundation. All finalist works from the latest edition of the international competition—launched by the Loewe Foundation in 2016 in tribute to the house's roots as an artisanal workshop—will be on display from May 30 to June 29 at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid. A digital exhibition of the entries will also be available online for public viewing. Founded in 1846 in Madrid, Loewe is a globally renowned luxury house, owned by French conglomerate LVMH, known for its craftsmanship and original creations. In March, Loewe's creative direction was handed over to design duo Jack McCollough and Lázaro Hernández of Proenza Schouler, following the departure of Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson. Anderson stepped down to take on the role of menswear design director at Dior, another house within French businessman Bernard Arnault 's luxury portfolio.
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC starting pitcher Caden Aoki talks on TV about Trojans' NCAA Tournament position
USC starting pitcher Caden Aoki talks on TV about Trojans' NCAA Tournament position Caden Aoki, USC baseball hope the Trojans don't get snubbed this time on the NCAA Tournament Selection Show Following Friday's walk-off victory over Washington at the Big Ten Tournament, USC baseball's 2025 regular season is now complete. The Trojans' postseason fate now rests in the hands of the NCAA Tournament selection committee. Some people think USC solidified its place in the postseason with this victory, and that avoiding one more loss could prove to be decisive. Yet, after remembering how USC was shockingly snubbed in 2023, it's hard to feel completely confident that the Trojans will be in. We need to see that name in a bracket on Monday before thinking this is a done deal. During Friday's game, USC starting pitcher Caden Aoki was interviewed by Big Ten Network. During his interview, Aoki made a case for the Trojans' postseason inclusion. 'If you look at our scope of work, it's really undeniable that we belong in this tournament," Aoki said. "If you look at it without recency bias, I think we're in," a reference to USC losing six of its last nine games. Aoki mentioned USC having 17 Quad 1 or 2 wins plus 17 road wins. Aoki also mentioned that USC wasn't even playing home games at its regular home stadium, Dedeaux Field, this season. Aoki added that USC lost only three series the whole season. He certainly came prepared with facts and numbers and made a strong case for the Trojans. However, this is not about what Caden Aoki thinks. It's about what the selection committee thinks. The NCAA Tournament Selection Show will take place on Monday at 9 a.m. Pacific time. USC is looking to make its first appearance in the tournament since 2015.
