The work of Setsu&Shinobu Ito has resulted in scenographic articles in illuminated alabaster, true sculptures of light (lamps and candle-holders) that interact poetically with the light source. The creativity of Massimo Barbierato, Roberto Sironi, Terence Coton, Setsu&Shinobu Ito and the lathe-turning ability of Lorenzo Francheschinis have combined to produce beautiful turned wood vases. Thanks to the skilful processes devised to expose the intrinsic properties of this living material, the power of wood is delicately expressed through veil-like thinness.

The research by Hands on Design has reached out even further and has approached a completely new type of product: knives. The workshop of the Banshu Hamono consortium, situated in the Japanese region of Banshu, was at one time famous for th e production of the incredibly sharp blades of the Katana swords. It is here in these historic surroundings that the lady’s pocket knife designed by Studio Irvine and the collection of Kintoki designer knives in wood and steel to designs by Giulio Iacchetti have been developed using the same techniques that have been applied for generations.