Ito X British Museum

The Interfusion of Ancient Art Civilization and The Five Elements.
Design

Ito X British Museum

The Interfusion of Ancient Art Civilization and The Five Elements.
Design

In 2017, ITO cooperated with the British Museum for its 10th anniversary. We chose the art collections from Egypt, Greece, China, Japan and Africa that represent the origin of human civilization at the British Museum, fused with the five elements, “metal, wood, water, fire, earth”, to create the luggage collection of ITO x British Museum, which are a series of five luggage with rich and varied features.

Egypt - Gold

The Rosetta Stone in The British museum is selected as material for the design of the luggage. The Eye of Horus on the upper right corner represents the protection of the ancient Egyptian gods and supreme sacred kingship. The Rosetta stone gives archaeologists a chance to understand the Egyptian hieroglyphics that has been lost for thousands of years. By opening a door to the ancient civilization, we invited travelers to explore foreign civilizations starting from the written on the stone tablet.

This campaign presented 365 non-repetitive looks based on Chuck Taylor shoes and other Converse products, and also documented the dialogues, films, online activities we experimented with the talents. The campaign was released through social media, included 12 independent sub theme for each month under the big idea “Forever Chuck”. This campaign documented the true voice of the young generation, and their original stories with Chuck Taylor, and restored the diversity of Chinese youth.

The Persian - Wood

Shaname, the Persian miniatures is selected as the material for the luggage design. The Icon on the upper right corner is redesigned according to the ancient Persian coins. The art of Persian miniature is the carrier of its national cultural spirit. It represents a delicate and neat brushwork with strong and bright colors. The unfinished illustration “Shaname” depicts Rakhsh, the mount of superhero Rustam wrestling with a lion. By picking up a part of the forest (wood)where spirits of the nature exist, we invite travelers to set foot on this mysterious journey with us.

Japan - Water

The famous Japanese Ukiyo-e Under the Wave is selected as the design material of the luggage. This picture represents the image of boat workers struggling for life while the fishing boats being lifted up by the stormy waves, which highlights the pursuit of harmony between human and nature in Japanese philosophy. The Icon on the upper right corner has been redesigned with traditional Japanese water ripple pattern using Under the Wave as a prototype. Seeking the harmonious coexistence of human and nature is an important part of life and traveling.

China - Fire

Chinese traditional porcelain is selected as the material for luggage design. Made by fire, porcelain is a fine work of art of pureness and delicacy. The measuring system of ancient Chinese implements consists grasping the scale, combining strength and softness. The Jingdezhen porcelain, which is famous of its coherent body and marvelous proportions, is an excellent representation of the traditional aesthetics of mellowness and fullness. The icon on the upper right corner takes meaning of the seal at the bottom of the porcelain, the abstraction of the word “Zhong” represents the behalf of China. The great beauty of Chinese culture, is the driving source of our exploration through mountains and rivers.

Greece – Earth

The Townley Discobolus is selected as the design material of the luggage.  The sculpture itself presents a simmering motion of sport in which the potential energy being hidden within the intense forms. The ancient Greek arena represents the beauty of human nude and seeks the balance and harmony between reality of sports and artistic performance. The Icon in the upper right corner is derived from the zigzag image in Greek pottery, which is a common design pattern in Greek art. No matter in which era, travelers are always free to stay for balance, or to pursue for beauty.