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I had the chance to offer 3  prizes,  Atelierul Magazine – The Iconic ones at „The Transparent breath” exhibition in Venice,  and one of the winners I chose was the Japanese brand SENTE. Takayuki Ota’s attention to detail and craftsmanship really shine through in their jewelry, making it versatile enough to complement any outfit beautifully. For me, it’s always exciting to find pieces that can seamlessly blend into your wardrobe while still standing out.

1.  Who is behind the brand SENTE? Can you tell me a couple of words about yourself?

I work with optical glass to express water. My goal is to achieve harmony between nature and culture, aiming for a richer society in the future.

Creating the products

2. How did you start your creative business?

I have experienced mental illness in the past, and for me, this creative activity serves as both a form of self-healing and a way to offer something beautiful to those I care about. This desire to express and share led me to start my business.

3. What are the values for your creations? What was the moment that defined your style?

I believe my work embodies an Eastern sense of aesthetics and values.  I began my creative journey in 2011, a year marked by a major earthquake in Japan. Through volunteer activities, I learned many things and realized my purpose in life. I chose silica and glass as the means to pursue that purpose, and from the start, the style I aimed for was already clear.

SENTE’s work place

4. Congratulations on winning our prize, I love your creations, could you please tell me what inspired you in the process of creating your products? Why did you choose glass?

Thank you so much!
I am inspired by humanity, nature, and Japanese culture, including myself. Rather than being specifically drawn to glass, I am fascinated by silica as an element. Earth, the most abundant material on Earth, is ideal for sustainable jewelry due to the high purity of glass, which offers excellent strength, transparency, and reusability. It resembles water, a symbol of nature, making it the perfect material for me.

5. Can you tell me a little bit about your creative process? Where do you take your inspiration from, and how is a piece created?

As a Japanese artist, my work is born from harmony with nature and the balance between intentional and unintentional creation. In my process, I value using both the left and right sides of my brain in balance to bring my ideas to life.

Jewelry pieces created by SENTE

6. How do you see glass art and jewelry in an increasingly digitized society?

While I believe digitalization is remarkable for creating an efficient and convenient society, I feel there is much to learn from working with glass, especially for nurturing the heart. Glass art that is handcrafted, rather than made from molds, stands as the polar opposite of digitalization and can play a significant role in this era.
Additionally, glass jewelry offers high environmental sustainability and reminds us of its value, making it an ideal material and expression for the society of the future.

7. Which do you like better, online sales or offline sales of your products?

I prefer offline sales because I value the warmth and emotional connection with people. However, moving forward, I would like to create an online experience that feels as personal as an offline one.

8. What is the most important lesson you learned in your creative career?

Creative activities often involve expressions that are unconventional or even perceived as extraordinary. To live creatively is a way of life, one that often requires enduring loneliness due to a lack of understanding from others. Developing the strength to withstand isolation is essential.

Jewelry pieces created by SENTE

9. Do you have special designers that you follow or admire?

• René Lalique
• Ted Muehling
• Hayao Miyazaki
• GESINE ARPS

10. What do you think is the greatest challenge for a jewelry designer in 2024?

Intellectual Property Rights. In Japan, not just in jewelry design but across various industries, I feel there has been some turbulence due to the increasing number of freelancers and the prolonged economic downturn. Our challenge lies in nurturing more professionals with a strong sense of purpose and dedication to advance the industry amidst these circumstances.

11. How do you see the European design expression of glass compared to Japan?

Europe has a long-standing tradition of developing soda glass and crystal glass, while Asia, including Japan, has historically been more focused on ceramics. Over the past decade, borosilicate glass has experienced rapid growth in Japan, but I believe, including myself, that the field is still in its youth, with significant potential for future development.

All the images are sent by SENTE, from his personal archive.

Thank you very much Eleonora Varotto (HOOROON) for introducting me in the world of your selected artists and designers for your coproduced exhibitions.