Uneri Grounds Us in the Intricacies of Growth

The physical manifestations of growth exist all around us. Plants sprout, live, and die, returning their nutrients to the soil – a perfect cycle of endless energy. Rivers cut through rock, forming new streams that offer less resistance as gravity pulls forever downward. Trees, our protectors of the air and soil, grow in distinct directions as well, beholden to the conditions and nutrients present. Crafted from branches collected from Tokyo’s street trees and local parks, Uneri by Sotanaka celebrates this unique growth.

Treating pieces like singular parts of a whole rather than separate elements, one can almost imagine shoots of green that could sprout out of the ends of the branches. The seats and backs are delicately rendered, a whimsical organicism permeating the whole collection. As it takes much longer to learn the rules as it takes to learn to break them, the attention to proportion and gesture is essential to understanding the magic behind Uneri, a pattern of life frozen in time.

Wabi-sabi combines two interrelated concepts: wabi and sabi. Although there are many translations, wabi may be translated as “subdued, austere beauty”, and sabi as “rustic patina”. As this tenet is essential to Japanese design culture, each element is intentionally placed, and was collected from material that might be discarded otherwise. A careful examination of process and product combine to offer a touching ode to our natural world.

Established in 2020 by designer Soichiro Tanaka, Sotanaka is based in Tokyo, working to deepen our connections with the products that surround us. Each project is an opportunity to understand these relationships even better, to help us interact with our environments more easily, and ultimately, each other.

To learn more about Uneri by Sotanaka, visit sotanaka.com.

Photography courtesy of Sotanaka.

Growing up in NYC has given Aria a unique perspective into art + design, constantly striving for new projects to get immersed in. An avid baker, crocheter, and pasta maker, handwork and personal touch is central to what she loves about the built environment. Outside of the city, she enjoys hiking, biking, and learning about space.