Pursuing the SDGs through the tables : In talk with Satoko Udagawa, a food space producer.
eterble has asked space creative professionals with a variety of perspectives about how anyone can make a rich table space, ideas, and techniques. In this volume, we had asked Satoko Udagawa, who pursues SDGs activities through table stylings and the the styling techniques she came up from the sustainability thoughts.
ーGathered with friends to launch SDGs activities!ー
I got together with friends and started the group around 2022.
In one of our projects, we are partnered with Naka Ward in Yokohama City, where we collect the flowers used at weddings at Hotel New Grand, a famous luxury hotel in the area, and we turn them into dried flowers to use them again such as candle making combine them with upcycled corks to create a wreath. We try to reuse them instead of discarding them.
ーReuse in another place : a display of used tableware for saleー
At our organization, Liko SDGs (https://likosdgs.com/) , we do a special table styling using the “used tablewares”, which we collect from numerous table stylists. We organize these popups in the means to sell the used tableware to the people by nicely displaying them to put another lives into the dishes. These dishes are totally usable, they have only done its duty as “styling props”.
We sell these dishes to visitors to the event, introducing them through displays so that these dishes can be used in another place.
The sale of used tableware is popular not only among the general public, but also among the same kind of people like me ; food&space stylist. It is a convenient way to purchase what was initially high priced tableware at reasonable prices.
We believe that there are many aspects of SDGs activities and that general public is still not sure how to tackle. We hold our events with the goal of first getting people involved and letting them know about the SDGs.
In that sense, this is the first time I have come into contact with eterble’s products, and I think the concept of sustainability is perfect for my mindset.
ーYou have styled one of the eterble’s exhibits last December themes around “the New Year”. What were some of the points you focused in the exhibition?ー
In order to make a good atmosphere to the eterble’s tablecloths, I styled it around the theme of “Stylish Japanese Modern meets the Western”. I wanted to target something different from the formal Japanese styles.
Gold and silver colors are used as points of interest to add a basic yet glamorous New Year’s touch. Coordination of different materials such as Aritayaki porcelain and faceted work is also a highlight.
ーHow was is like styling with eterble’s item?ー
In this time’s exhibition, I used Azulejo tablecloth.
It makes a great point of interest as the runner part is sewn on to the base fabric and makes it a single piece of tablecloths. I was able to use it without worrying about the overlapping runner part shifting.
Also its pattern in beautiful. I felt that the gentle colors better complemented the chic tableware, and the tablecloth was easy to use for a wide range of purposes, from daily use to entertaining tables. The textures and especially the aqua color matched very well with the stylish style of this project and highlighted the quality of the product.
It seems like a versatile item that can be used in both Japanese and Western styles. It seems to be a good first choice, especially for beginners.
.
.
.
.
ー”Using what you have in a different way” SDGs-inspired table settingー
I often use things in a different way than they are originally intended.
When I styled for an event called “Tableware Festival”, I used my mother’s memento kimono obi as a runner. I have also tried using my grandmother’s brazier by rearranging it and incorporating it into the table in a different way than I have used it before. These kind of things give you originality.
You may be surprised to find that things in your home which you don’t use occasionally can unexpectedly become the highlights or points of interest on the table.
ーPropose more SDGs ideas through table stylingsー
I have always hoped to combine the “table with the SDGs”, so I would like to propose, for example, using eterble’s cloths in the future and incorporating sustainable items in the tableware as well to suggest the sustainable ideas throughout.
.
.
Profile:
SATOKO UDAGAWA
FSPJ certified coordinator, food & space producer.
Organizing SDGs activities, workshops and exhibitions in cooperation with local governments. She is active as an instructor for corporate displays, table coordination, and tea ceremonies for the general public.
Instagram|@atelier.satoko