Design Festa vol. 22

For two whole days nearly 6,000 artists from all over the world congregated in Tokyo Big Sight, the largest event hall in Japan, to display an astonishing array of original creations ranging from drawings and paintings to textiles and interpretive dance. From its inception in 1994, Design Festa has grown to become the biggest and arguably most anticipated art event in the country. Attracting more than 50,000 visitors in a mere cumulative 16 hours, Design Festa boasts something for everyone, whether you enjoy woodworking, film, architecture, pattern making, or simply live music and food.

This time around, amidst an inspirational and eclectic scene, some of the obvious crowd-pleasers included interactive features like horror studio makeup, create-your-own pendant jewelry, and a remote-controlled human transportation device, operated by a cheerful fellow in a flight suit. In addition, a cluster of clothing and furniture designers appeared to be raking in ample profits.

From stained glass to graffiti art, skateboards to postcards, Design Festa is a worthwhile opportunity to experience the Tokyo art scene in all of its flamboyance. If you missed the opportunity this time, have no fear. Design Festa vol. 23 is right around the corner, happening May 20 & 21, 2006. Check out www.designfesta.com for more information.