Hisakazu Shimizu is a talented Japanese product designer that when he is not working as a member of Canon's in-house design team, involved in product lines such as the Canon digital IXUS camera, is developing his own products under 'Sabo Studio'. Sabo Studio became very famous for their colourful, almost naïve pieces that have gained them a place in the contemporary pop culture panorama.

Hisakazu, not afraid to explore territories like the reinterpretation of Japanese culture in modern life or the preconceived idea we have about the concept of kitsch, was this time inspired by nothing more and nothing less, than fruit! His latest works will be shown at the VIVID design gallery in Rotterdam, Holland, from July 3 through August 21, 2011, and are full of juicy surprises.  Entitled FRUITS, the exhibition can be considered as a continuation of Hisakazu´s obsession with creating good design inspired by the trivial, brilliantly explored during his past Lovable Bad Design series.

The exhibition, with pieces formerly presented at Galerie VIVID’s booth at the Design Miami/Basel 2011 design fair (Basel, Switzerland, 14 - 18 June, 2011), features a wide range of works, from lighting pieces to tableware and clocks. Also on display will be two Hairstyle mirrors and an edition of Gallery Downtown/François Laffanour, Paris. The natural and the artificial, the decorative and the utilitarian and the childish and the adult, all blend perfectly in an inspired mix. The final result of Hisazaku Shimizu´s first international solo exhibition looks playful and fresh, with a bold use of colour that makes the difference. It comes as no surprise then that Sabo Studio´s motto is "Attempta Noli Vereor", standing for "Attack Without Fear." Only that in his case it is a design attack, full of inspiration and positive energy!

Event details
Title: FRUITS – Hisakazu Shimizu / SABO STUDIO
Curator: Galerie VIVID (Rotterdam)
Organizer: Eizo Okada (DEROLL / dezain.net)
Exhibition dates: July 3 – August 21, 2011
Venue: Galerie VIVID