Fierce price competition and changing lifestyles have altered the industrial landscape of tableware drastically. Few sectors have shown to be so volatile to crisis. The Arita Ceramics Symposium is the first to adopt a multidisciplinary, innovative approach to the industry. Key manufacturers and distributors from Europe, the US and Japan, regional leaders, designers, as well as leisure and culture professionals discuss the new perspectives in the tableware industry.
Keynote speaker, trendwatcher Prof Dr Carl Rohde (founder of Science of the Time), will discuss innovation, creativity and competitiveness, and will uncover global trends in luxury and fashion. Also present will be ceramic industry business leader Kevin Oakes who recently hit the news with his acquisition of Royal Crown Derby, addressing challenges and opportunities.
Yukio Suzuta (director of the Kyushu Ceramic Museum) will shed his light on the many recent, innovative efforts in the Arita region. Prominent voices from the industry, such as Romane Sarfati (CEO of Cité de la céramique – Sèvres & Limoges), will head thematic group sessions on Art & Design, Economics, Leisure, and Technology.
In addition, the programme will take visitors to key locations in the Arita region, such as the manufacturers Kakiemon and Kouransya, and the Kyushu Ceramics Museum.
Arita, surrounded by great scenic beauty, is home to the many producers and distributors of Arita ware. The symposium will take place at the Saga Ceramics Research Laboratory in Arita.
The symposium is a collaboration between Episode 2, the organizing committee of the 400th anniversary of Arita porcelain, the Saga Ceramics Research Laboratory and The European Ceramic Work Centre, EKWC in the Netherlands.
Early bird tickets are available until the first of August. Please click here for registration. (http://aritasymposium.eventbrite.com/?aff=viahm1)
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