VS, (Versus) is about AIR DIVISION having a conversation with other creative professionals across different media and disciplines. It is not the kind of conversation that leads to idealistic musings, but realistic conversation that challenges perceptions, tests design sensibilities, and one that would eventually turn design intentions into a daily consumer product.
The result is Project VS, a collaborative yet dynamic conversation through which designers share the expressions of the own attitudes, inspirations and influences and yet, which challenge our very own. We believe this clash of ideas and sparks is positive and will result in a final product which gives new language to both style and philosophy.
Project VS provides a platform that supports and showcases designers in a positive business environment, it presents an opportunity for designers to have creations in a commercial context with trustworthy production, retail and export partner. We are selective of designer to be part of Project VS as we strongly believe that the product needs to be the result of a mature thought process combined with quality design intent before the collaboration can start.
We had honour of working with renowned United Kingdom based multi-disciplinary designers, Voon Wong and Benson Saw of VOONWONG&BENSONSAW (VWBS) on a collection from our PLANK LIVING collection consisting of six exquisite designs.
Well known for their interior and industrial design expertise, there was little hesitation from both parties when the opportunities to work with each other arise.
VWBS won th OXO Peugeot Award for lighting in their very first year together. In 2004 their design, the Loop light, in production by Fontana Arte, was nominated for the prestigious Compasso D'Oro. Their exhibition at the Singapore Design Festival in November 2005 was an ambitious installation of their work under the title Confetti at the leading international furniture retailer Space Furniture. In April 2006 they presented their debut collection of bone china Lightcast during Milan Furniture fair.
Our conversation with Toshiyuki Kita started when we were participating in the "Design Singapore Studio with Toshiyuki Kita" at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2006 (The Milan Fair). Kita-san worked with us to produce AIR TEAK, a showcase contemporary home furnishings in the best tradition of wood artisanship hinting of Japanese aesthetic and discipline in the execution of details and expectations. The Kita-san touch is evident with Air Teak embracing alluring organic forms that breathe life and beauty into any urban environment.
Synonymous with top international brands like Cassina, Sharp, Magis, Maroso, Toshiyuki Kita's design have graced the halls of museums and international exhibitions. Permanent collection include the Wink Chair, as well as Sharp Aquos LCD TV at the pompidou Centre in Paris, Munich State of Modern Museum of Art, Hamburg Art and Craft Museum in Germany and Museum of Modern Art in St etienne, France. Born in Osaka, Japan, Kita-san moved to Italy to work in studios of Mario Bellini and Silvio Coppola. International reviews for his designs include the Compasso d'Oro in Italy, Golden Prize of Delta de Oro Award in Spain, Japan Interior Design Award, Maninichi Design Award, amongst others.