Process

Mapponica proudly stands as the exclusive creator of this innovative mapping art fabrication, meticulously crafted within the confines of my studio nestled in Tokyo.

Inspired by the timeless elegance embodied in traditional Japanese patterns that continue to grace countless items, paper emerged as the perfect medium to bring these intricate designs together.

This idea blossomed from a personal project and resonated with others who shared similar emotions.

Japan essence through contrasts, tradition encapsulated in modern times

The maps are made of two layers uniting, the strength and precision of technology with the irreplaceable human's savoir faire and dexterity.

The Upper part, is a 1mm thick dense black mat paper board, cut with my laser machine. This depth and consistency of material allow to bring stylish sturdiness to the overall composition.

The lower part is made by hand, patiently built like a puzzle and composed from different Japanese papers. Their textures vary greatly from smooth to rough fibers, from stencils to woodblock prints, from elaborated designs to old traditionals. They all are, the result of Japanese craftsmen's deliberate choices of washi and methods of prints applied. There is no real beauty without some slight imperfection from artisanal production.

They are time travel capsules in the history of Japanese paper making, keeping an ancestral industry alive, and finding new ways to transmit the kimono's timeless prints and symbolic motifs to younger generations.

Pattern placement

Colour schemes have been inspired directly by the Japanese paper itself, by the country represented, by the clients favorite palettes, their relation to the place, the story they wished to anchor on the map, or simply from my impression perceived when meeting someone. Transferring colour schemes from one map to the next is sometimes possible.

The joy of the process is that the possibilities are infinite.

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