Kanto Journal 3 Volume 2 2017

The initiatives of the Lab, visiting and organizing furniture
workshops in various cities like Manila, is admirable in its goal to
spread knowledge, awareness and talent. What would you say are
the positive effects to this open cultural exchange, especially in the
face of widespread racism and cultural oppression in the world today?
Our workshops in the Philippines would not have been possible without
the Japan Foundation Manila, which has generously supported our
activities and connected us with key players to collaborate with. One of
the things that has consistently come up as we reflect on our experience
after the disaster is that we believe in the universality of DIY, design and
its possibilities, in changing individuals and communities. While our
story may be unique, we see it as a potential model for disaster-prone
regions, which is why we travelled to the island of Bohol in 2016 to
conduct a series of workshops there, as well as areas undergoing urban
and regional revitalization, such as Escolta and Kapitolyo. Each context
has unique conditions that need to be dealt with, but the empowering
aspect of learning DIY skills is undeniable. We hope that people take
these skills and attitude to positively contribute to their lives, families
and eventually communities.
Follow Ishinomaki Laboratory on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
@ishinomakilab or visit ishinomaki-lab.org for their furniture and work
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