KiBiSi and Kosho Ito design acoustic ceramic iphone holder

Danish industrial design studio KiBiSi has collaborated with Japanese craftsman Kosho Ito on a new smartphone holder and speaker

(Image credit: KiBiSi & Kosho)

By Sujata Burman

last updated 31 October 2022

in Features

Japan and Denmark are two countries with a lot in common. Although different in terms of culture and location, their design sensibilities align in their minimalistic and holistic qualities. Freshly launched, a new collaboration brings these two regions is the 'Oto' ceramic analog speaker for smartphones.

The effortless piece by Danish design studio KiBiSi and Japanese ceramics artist Kosho Ito celebrates traditional craft from the Eastern region. Curated by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the collaboration was originally conceived for the East Japan Project in response to the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country in 2011. The natural disaster has had a negative impact on ceramic craft, and Kuma sought to revive the art form by giving it a modern spin.

The 'Oto' doubles as a holder and acoustic device

‘It is an object where tradition meets the contemporary,’ explains Jens Martin Skibsted, creative director at KiBiSi. ‘Said plainly, it’s an odd encounter of high and low tech.’ The handmade piece serves as an elegant and ornamental dock for your smartphone, and also amplifies the sound coming from within, making use of the natural acoustic qualities of the Japanese walnut wood.

Available in an array of colours from Matcha Green to Sumi Black, the 'Oto' enhances sound without using any electricity; it's a smart, sophisticated 'Dano-Japanese/Nippo-Danish' hybrid, as Skibsted calls it.

Kosho Ito and Kibisi’s smart hybrid embraces traditional Japanese craft — 'Oto' allows the user to slide their smartphone into a Japanese walnut wood holder, which enhances sound due to its natural acoustic properties

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the KiBiSi website

Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.

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