Ignites creative spirit in children through sculptures designed for play, by Naoto Fukasawa
**Introducing "Yuugu": Naoto Fukasawa's Innovative Play Collection**
In a delightful fusion of art and play, renowned Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa has unveiled his first collection of children's play sculptures, **"Yuugu"**. This captivating collection, launched during Milan Design Week, aims to redefine the boundaries of play and foster creativity in children[1][3].
The "Yuugu" collection, which includes a blue box with circular holes, a tiny tomato red chair, a sunshine yellow house, an undulating green ring, and other playful sculptures, was created for the Japanese company Jakuets[2]. The collection's design philosophy emphasises creativity and imagination, providing children with the freedom to interpret and interact with the sculptures in their own unique ways[1].
One of the standout pieces in the "Yuugu" collection is the 'Omochi', a play sculpture that resembles a Japanese rice sweet, boasting a bright red, round, and smooth shape[1]. Another intriguing sculpture, 'Donut', features rounded red edges, while 'Banri' offers a circular green pathway in undulating heights[1].
The 'House' sculpture, a yellow wendyhouse shaped structure, adds a whimsical touch to the collection. The collection also includes a small but perfectly formed red 'Piccola' table from the new collection[2].
Fukasawa's approach to play objects is rooted in the belief that they should catch a child's attention and excite them to play without requiring conscious thought[4]. He believes that these objects should fit seamlessly into the surrounding environment and appeal to both children and adults alike[4].
Jakuets, based in Fukui, Japan, has been exploring the meaning of play for over a century since its launch in 1916. As a progressive company in educational play, Jakuets works with over 40,000 nursery school and daycare centres in Japan[5]. This marks the first time that Jakuets has introduced its play equipment outside Japan.
The "Yuugu" collection is underpinned by Jakuets' idea of embracing play as an interconnected representation of an inclusive, holistic society[6]. The new play sculptures in the collection feature simple lines and curves in bold shades of red, blue, green, and yellow, crafted using carbon fibre and wooden master moulds[7].
In essence, "Yuugu" aims to share a borderless language of play through Fukasawa's creative perspective, promoting creativity in children by redefining play as an open, adaptable activity that empowers children to invent their own ways of engaging with the sculptures and thus expanding their imaginative capabilities[1][3].
- Naoto Fukasawa's "Yuugu" collection, with its focus on fostering creativity in children, could be an inspiring addition to the 'education-and-self-development' section of a lifestyle magazine, encouraging readers to explore and nurture their children's imagination.
- For individuals interested in modern home decor, the 'Yuugu' collection's playful sculptures, such as the whimsical yellow 'House' and the small red 'Piccola' table, offer a unique blend of art and function, rightfully earning a place in the 'home-and-garden' category of any contemporary fashion-and-beauty publication.
