In 2021, BIÉDE presented “COLLECTION 02 IN COLLABORATION WITH Quentin Shih,” working again with the Beijing-based Chinese artist, photographer and film director after the first collection.
Reconsidering ownership and belonging
COLLECTION 02 began with the question: what can be made from leather through contemporary technology and handwork? Lockable bags recalling air travel became a way to think about what it means to possess something privately.
The ∉ mark in the BIÉDE logo means “not an element of.” The question of belonging or not belonging expanded into owning or not owning. An NFT was presented as part of the product, extending the collection's inquiry from physical space to the internet.
A second collaboration with Quentin Shih
Quentin Shih is a Chinese artist, photographer and film director based in Beijing. Starting from BIÉDE's story and products, he made the photographic work for COLLECTION 02.
See the COLLECTION 02 story and visuals by Quentin Shih
Three lockable airline bags
COLLECTION 02 comprises DEP., TRANSIT and ARR. Each has a double zip and padlock, and was produced with a YELLOW EDGE and a BLACK EDGE.
DEP.
ELEMENT 07《DEP.》YELLOW EDGE / ELEMENT 10《DEP.》BLACK EDGE
A phone bag for carrying a smartphone and cards.
TRANSIT
ELEMENT 08《TRANSIT》YELLOW EDGE / ELEMENT 11《TRANSIT》BLACK EDGE
A genderless crossbody bag for travel and daily life.
ARR.
ELEMENT 09《ARR.》YELLOW EDGE / ELEMENT 12《ARR.》BLACK EDGE
A double-zip tote with room for books and a camera.
From exhibition to the web and the table
The collection was open to the public at STEIN BOX B1F in Minamiaoyama from October 14 to 17, 2021. Alongside the bags and photographs, an NFT based on the symbol in the story was exhibited and offered for sale.
The same story also moved into a collaboration with café PREMIER MAI: a blue mille-feuille and lemonade inspired by night light and the sky shifting towards dawn.
See the exhibition listing in Bijutsu Techo
See the PREMIER MAI collaboration announcement
CREDIT
PHOTOGRAPHY: Quentin Shih
STORY: BIÉDE
ENGLISH SUPERVISION: WAYNE CONTI / MERCER STREET BOOKS & RECORDS, NEW YORK
CHINESE TRANSLATION: Hui Quan / THE WASEDA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF LITERATURE
BRAND MANAGEMENT: KLEINSTEIN [YUSUKE KOISHI / MIKI KOISHI]
This article records the 2021 collection, NFT, exhibition and café collaboration. See each product page for current specifications and availability.