Month: March 2022

 

One-of-a-kind art products that transform the Scuderia Ferrari DNA using traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

Materials from Scuderia Ferrari, which would otherwise be thrown away, will continue to carry on the DNA while being transformed into art products by fusing traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

When RADIOBOOK CEO Yugo Itagaki. saw the Scuderia Ferrari materials, he was excited about the huge potential. Based on the spirit of mottainai (not letting things go to waste), a unique Japanese way of thinking, and the idea of “creating a world where everyone does only what they want to do,” i.e., “changing unneeded objects into needed objects,” Itagaki and his team of artisans continued to think about how wonderful it would be to be able to utilize these materials and transform them into something that would be appreciated.

“This led to us creating these wonderful products combining the cultures of Italy and Japan. RENASCENCE is only just getting started. This announcement is just a starting point for our ongoing efforts to turn art products that some may want into items that everyone wants.” – added Itagaki.

 

The infinite cycle of using reusable materials.

The brand concept for RENASCENCE is “reborn”. Materials that carry on traditions and history will be reborn as one-of-a-kind art products, bringing new value.

In the official partnership contract, which was signed in 2020 with Scuderia Ferrari, the two companies agreed to focus their attention on reuse products as part of their sustainable actions. Upon learning about the large volume of waste materials that result every year during their visit to the Scuderia Ferrari head office, RADIOBOOK suggested the idea for the RENASCENCE project, combining the materials with traditional Japanese culture to transform them into art products. RADIOBOOK has adopted a corporate philosophy to “create a world where everyone does only what they want to do,” and by utilizing revitalized components through RENASCENCE, there is great hope that it will become a world-class brand much like the small automotive brands in Italy.

Each art product has been carefully developed on the concept of “tactile feeling,” which means “to be able to sense by touching”.

For instance when using the keyboard, there is a distinct sensation of pressing down on the key which is achieved by fusing the unique characteristics of the Scuderia Ferrari materials with traditional Japanese culture. The products are finished using Wajima-nuri lacquer, one of the most popular lacquerware techniques in Japan and feature motifs such as “Patapata”, a traditional Japanese toy, or car engine, integrating the cultures and traditions of Italy and Japan as art products.

In the first stage, practical art products such as iPhone cases and cardholders will be developed. Highly skilled artisans carefully create each piece by hand, making every art product precious and unique. Each item becomes more unique with use, and the subtle changes can be enjoyed over the years.

This attaché case is designed to last a lifetime.

A clean and simple shape is elegantly integrated with delicate details created through the finest Japanese craftsmanship. This is the first time ever that traditional Japanese Wajima-nuri lacquerware techniques have been combined with Scuderia Ferrari’s materials.

iPhone Case (Frame/Engine)

The design consists only of three-dimensional surfaces that seem to encompass a Scuderia Ferrari. The frame has been coated with red lacquer to give your mobile phone a beautiful and sophisticated appearance.
Bold styling has been used to attach a plate that gives the impression of Scuderia Ferrari engine components. The metal frame has been coated with black lacquer. The contrast of the polished plate and black lacquer create a contemporary and delicate design.

Business Card Holder (Slide/Flip)

Conceived to give the feeling of drawing a sword from its sheath, the design creates a premium feeling by covering the entire piece with a deep matte red lacquer.

The stylish function allows one to open the card holder with a swift single hand movement. The top and bottom surfaces have been carefully shaved and hand polished to create a plate with a rouge pattern. Lacquer has been painstakingly applied by a lacquerware craftsman. The feeling and sound given off when it is opened and closed convey the wonder of a hand-crafted piece.

Money Clip (Fun/Flip/Ortho)

This piece was designed with a view to simultaneously expressing fun, surprise and luxury. The intent of the design is to create a product for daily use that imparts a beautiful and simple sense of luxury.

Part of the Flip lineup of business card holder products. Designed to ensure that the motion and sound give off a sense of luxury. As with the business card holder Flip, the top and bottom rouge plates have been carefully shaven and processed with precision by hand by craftsmen.

Ortho:

The simple design was achieved with polished materials layered multiple times in the Wajima-nuri lacquerware tradition to give it a deep texture. Simple and yet finely crafted down to the last detail at every stage of production.