MAKE-DO it HAPTIC: Design projects by Masayo Ave 1990-2008

3 April - 9 May 2008

Gallery at Epsom, Surrey

Masayo Ave, table and wall lamp 1998 A new free exhibition featuring projects by internationally renowned Japanese designer Masayo Ave will open at the University, Epsom on 3 April – 9 May.

(Image: A Genesi Stella table and wall lamp, Masayo Ave, 1998)

Masayo Ave's designs include lights, bath accessories, fabrics, desk accessories, sofa modules, tiles and vases, even a keyboard and a cat basket.

All Ave's designs share a striking quality - haptics. That is, carefully selected materials and unusual surfaces, which directly encourage the observer to touch them and discover them with their hands.

Born in Tokyo where she originally studied and worked as an architect, Ave decided to try something new – industrial design.

As well as working on her own collection, she now also works as a product designer for firms such as Authentics, Industrielle, DuPont Corian and Yamaha.

Ave creates designs that are styled not just visually but also transform the emotional quality of materials into functional objects. Although haptic refers primarily to touch, all the senses are engaged in the design and appreciation of the objects.

The design process starts an assessment of the sensual qualities of materials such as– softness, hardness, wetness, dryness and temperature - bringing together the senses, design and science.

When considering Ave's sponge-like, molton and orange table and wall lamp, (pictured) the viewer can sense what it feels to the touch like just by looking - and vice versa.

The material used for the light diffuser (made from an open celled foam) is both washable and recyclable.

The exhibition also includes the ground-breaking haptic dictionary created in collaboration with designers and students across Europe.

Ave's work will also go on to feature in a large-scale exhibition Haptic – an awakening of the senses at RIBA London (7 May – 7 June) and the Lighthouse in Glasgow (18 June – 29 September).

To coincide with this series of exhibitions University Epsom's Professor Lesley Millar, will also deliver a conference at RIBA London. Memory and Touch: an Exploration of textural communication will take place on 7 May.

-ends-

Notes for editors

Gallery Opening Times

Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm. Closed Weekends and Bank Holidays

Masayo Ave - Professional Profile

Masayo Ave undertook postgraduate study at the renowned Domus academy in Milan, where in 1992 she set up "Ave Design Corporation", based in Tokyo and Milan, launching her own "MassayoAve creation" collection in 2000.

Masayo Ave also shares her design process with others and since 2001 has been working as the leader of the international design workshop "sound of materials" – a design workshop for young creatives, craftspeople and professionals from a variety of areas and countries.

Since 2004, she has also been a guest professor in the new area of "Haptic Interface Design" at the University of the Arts in Berlin and in 2007 was appointed Head of Department and Professor at Estonian Academy of Arts.

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