Niessing, a modern German jeweler, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Bauhaus roots by collaborating with
traditional Japanese family crest artisans and designers Shoryu and Yohji Hatoba (third- and fourth-generation Kyogen artisans of family crest design and painting). Their designs fuse the circles and lines characteristic of Edo craftsmanship with digital technology, chipping away at everything until only the purest essence remains. This stripping away of all superfluous elements to reveal simple, functional beauty is very similar to that embodied by Niessing and extolled by the Bauhaus. The collaboration features two main works. The first is a 3D trick art designed by the Hatobas to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Niessing Ring. With 551 balls suspended from 147 chains, the words “Niessing Ring” visible from an angle turns into “1979” when rotated 90 degrees. The second is the “NIESSING NOW TATOO REIWA,” a Niessing-Hatoba collaborative creation featuring the traditional Japanese hemp leaf motif. The vigorous hemp has been worshiped as a sacred plant throughout Japan’s history. Hemp leaf patterns are believed to have the power to ward off evil and have been used in charms to guard against misfortune and danger. Though born in different countries and eras, Niessing and Kyogen share an affinity for the same ideal of beauty. Take a look at the artworks created by their collaboration.
