iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 23/07/2026

Want to try -> Nissin launches two instant Cup Noodle varieties in Japan that do not require putting the kettle on www.ft.com/content/9195...

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 05/04/2026

This urushi covered Casio S100X calculator is possibly too much but can't deny it's gorgeous and wouldn't mind having one on my desk :D www.casio.com/jp/basic-cal...

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 29/03/2026

I didn't have a small cha he, so I made one with a chunk of soot bamboo I had from my chashaku practice. The result is not too bad!

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 04/10/2025

As a knowledge worker perennially in front of a screen, learning traditional hand skills, even briefly, offers something irreplaceable.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 26/08/2025

Mr Dalliard, we've been activated! www.twentythree.com/summit

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 06/08/2025

Equally looking forward and afraid about this doc on Jeff Buckley. Trailer: youtu.be/DRrcgLRX8Qc?...

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 07/07/2025

Shodō practice on Sunday: 放 Hanatsu (放つ), meaning “to release” or “to let go”, to move towards "nothingness" (無) or “no-mind” (無心). In Zen this refers to freeing yourself from the attachments, delusions, and mental baggage that weigh you down. Brushed in three styles, from formal to informal.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 16/06/2025

This Friday at 10am UK, first online session of The Summer Sessions: Craft & Design Textile artist Cindy Lilen on "miracle fibres" from the Andes and creating Argentina's London Design Biennale pavilion. Craft meets ancient wisdom: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #craft #design #textiles

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 05/06/2025

Bonavita Variable Temp Digital Electric Kettle

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 03/06/2025

What I always love about the Serpentine Pavilions is that they have no doors and are thus open to all, becoming a gathering space during the summer.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 03/06/2025

Tabassum shared how the inspiration came from her native Bangladesh and the Bengal Delta, where architecture embraces adaptability and ephemeral stances to deal with the consequences of climate change.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 03/06/2025

The latest iteration of the Serpentine Pavilion is fabulous, even on an overcast day. 'A Capsule in Time' by Marina Tabassum and her Dhaka-based team.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 31/05/2025

From my covid19 writing archive: The social life of objects www.gchicco.com/the-social-l...

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 18/05/2025

I had to use a smaller brush to fit all the characters in regular hanshi (half-sheet) paper. I don’t use it often and struggled to write strokes with the shapes I wanted. But at a certain point you have to let go, so I did.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 18/05/2025

今度は今度、今は今。 Next time is next time, Now is now. Today’s shodō practice is an homage to Wim Wender’s film ‘Perfect Days’.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 14/05/2025

I republished an interview from 2021 with Sven Mihai, who makes tea scoops with a cult following from his mountain workshop in Central Europe www.gchicco.com/the-influenc...

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 10/05/2025

This is an old photo (1878ca) from the family album. The boy in uniform was probably my grandfather (Ernesto Chicco), and the man next to him my great-grandfather. Unfortunately, I don't know for sure. The last person who likely knew was my late father. www.gchicco.com/portrait-fro...

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 06/05/2025

日上月下 “the sun rises, the moon settles" And the rhythm of the cosmos continues regardless of our human dramas, the ravaging of the environment and our petty wars.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 20/04/2025

Today's calligraphy, a few variations of 止まれ (tomare) = Stop 🔻 You'll find this written on signs and throughout Japanese streets.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 29/03/2025

I did a similar experiment and this is what I got from Claude cc @om.co: claude.ai/share/8e1619...

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 16/03/2025

Today's shodō practice: '茶禅一味' (cha-zen-ichimi). 'Tea and Zen are one flavour.' This Zen saying captures how the mindfulness of tea practice - preparing, offering, drinking - mirrors Zen meditation. Both demand presence, dedication and appreciation of simplicity. In each cup, enlightenment awaits.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 09/03/2025

Today I practiced Kissako / 喫茶去, 'have a cup of tea'.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 08/03/2025

Afternoon of tea and calligraphy. It's been months since I last practiced...

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 06/03/2025

...happy daffs in the sunshine.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 04/03/2025

I've written about why Sori Yanagi’s approach matters in the AI age: www.gchicco.com/the-butterfly-effect-sori-yanagi-and-the-art-of-appreciation/ Would love to hear your thoughts on designers we should appreciate more.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 04/03/2025

"True design lies in a realm counter to trends" - Sori Yanagi From designing the 1964 Tokyo Olympic torch to creating everyday kitchenware still in production today, Yanagi showed us how to honor tradition while embracing technological progress.

Book 'The Sori Yanagi Appreciation Society'.

Black and white portrait of Sori Yanagi holding an object.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 03/03/2025

Beautiful light in Clapham Common and the temperature is nice enough for wearing my fav Paynter Jacket featuring the patch of the Sori Yanagi Appreciation Society. (I'm writing about the SYAS for the next issue of The Craftsman newsletter -> thecraftsman.email)

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 28/02/2025

Yesterday I went to Collect at Somerset House. As per the last few editions, the most interesting objects were Korean. Also, lot's of work that's too similar year-on-year. Here are some favourites...

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 27/02/2025

Sant'Ambrogio in Milan in 2024.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 22/02/2025

Just arrived: 'Superagency' by @reidhoffman.bsky.social + Greg Beato. Smart marketing with personalised AI-made covers. Mine had blurbs about my work from Gutenberg, Sen no Rikyu and Leonardo... not bad.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 19/02/2025

Tea break, thinking of my Ukrainian friends 💛💙 (Chawan by Viter Ceramics)

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 18/02/2025

In the latest The Craftsman Newsletter I profiled three makers/artisans who made Japan their home and have added a new link to long craft traditions. www.gchicco.com/born-elsewhe...

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 14/02/2025

“I hope this note finds you well…”

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 13/02/2025

Tea time with an oolong that I bought in Lisbon (in a yunomi by Shinsaku Hamada).

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 11/02/2025

Evening at the Design Museum discussing fables of our times with Space Popular and Shumi Bose 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 09/02/2025

Tea break with a rather uncommon Japanese Oolong. Smooth and mineral but less intense than its Taiwanese counterparts.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 09/02/2025

Hello, is this on? Chasen (whisk) and chashaku (scoop)by Tango Tanimura, chazutsu (tea caddy) by Kaikado. 2025

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 28/01/2025

Tea break celebrating the beginning of the Lunar Year of the 🐍

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 13/01/2025

Shigeru Ban is such a wonderful character. Was lucky to spend time with him when he designed the Humanitarian Pavilion at London Design Biennale 2023. Here pictured L to R: Vincent Haiges, me, Ban and Clare Farrow.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 13/01/2025

The first #Sumo tournament of the year started strong!

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 17/12/2024

Nice evening at The Sori Yanagi Appreciation Society hosted by Vitra at their London showroom. Finally grabbed a copy of the book, had the official patch stiched onto my favourite jacked and lots of good conversations with old and new friends. syas.uk

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 17/12/2024

The search for the best mince pie continues. Today I tried those from Co-op. It was ok-ish, the crust was too think and the mince forgettable. Plus matcha in a very special chawan.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 10/12/2024

Impromptu #mincepie tasting session: Waitrose's "all butter" vs M&S "classic". And matcha, and whipped cream.

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Gianfranco Chicco 亀甲 @gchicco.com · 05/12/2024

First of the season is Waitrose's "all butter" #mincepie. Not bad.

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