packing list
When transporting objects, packaging is carried out with the primary purpose of protecting them. From letter-sized parcels to large-scale precision instruments, the specifications for protection vary greatly. In addition to preventing damage and indicating which side should face up, requirements may also include waterproofing, refrigeration, speed limits, and—if the item is an artwork—custom-made crates measured to fit precisely are not uncommon.
For international shipping, the long distances and routes involved demand even more meticulous packaging. Yet, as an island nation, Japan inevitably faces higher transportation costs when shipping to other countries. Historically, therefore, Japan has pursued rational solutions to reduce these costs—such as lightweighting, miniaturization, and knockdown construction—while balancing them with aesthetic value. However, when it comes to unique artworks, the matter is far from simple.
This exhibition, project: packing list, begins from our “ways of sending”—a condition shaped by our geographical position—and explores whether the shipping system itself might be intertwined with the creative process of making.
Outline
In the exhibition "tracing" held in Taiwan last year, we practiced turning the packaging and transportation of each member’s works as the contents into works themselves.
The packaging itself was given secondary functionality as a product, and transportation traces (including scuffs and label affixing) were transformed into part of the production process.
Building on the results of that project, we launched the long-term team project called "project: packing list."
Positioned as the second work in this series, "looping" aims to approach the concept of "ways of sending," with a focus on the historical background of B2B transportation methods and distribution.
Members
MULTISTANDARD does not aim to present the optimal solution demanded by society; rather, it focuses on functioning as a tool to provide new perspectives and give shape to ideas. In today’s complex society, we believe it is more important to promote multi-faceted discussions and push the boundaries of knowledge than to simply share a definitive, established standard. To that end, we continuously reexamine materials, processes, and contexts, searching for clues to design.
This time, under the title "packing list," we have invited collaborative members: Tomoaki Inoue, a forwarder; Teru Takahashi, a stonemason; and Yojiro Oshima, a furniture designer. Through their expertise in international transportation and locally rooted transport techniques, we will explore new ways of thinking. The overall graphic design is overseen by Stanley Shin.