The Volta Show: ARUSHI

arushi is a young company based in Zurich, Switzerland, with the goal of enabling and realizing design projects with special requirements. For the exhibited object rei, meeting the requirements of its Japan-based designer Keita Shimizu meant cooperating with experienced Japanese automotive carbon composite manufacturer Tras. Transferring the know-how from the racing sector to a still object was a challenge well worth its while.

Embarking into this project award-winning designer Keita Shimizu was fascinated by how much the present day material carbon had in common with traditional Japanese composite manufacturing. His predominant interest in forms and arts, which remain unchanged over centuries combined with cutting edge materials and techniques led to rei; an object inspired by 1300-year-old statue Ashura, built of composite materials of its day. With the aim of recreating an enduring piece as a tribute to such history rei emerged and is on show for the first time in Switzerland at Volta6 in Basel.

represented by arushi GmbH in the Lounge

rei, Keita Shimizu, 2009, Photographer: Keita Shimizu