August 7, 2012

Text: Meghan Edwards

What Happened to ICFF Darling Takeshi Miyakawa?




keshi Miyakwa, principal of his own art and design studio, Takeshi Miyakawa Design.




Takeshi Miyakwa, principal of his own art and design studio, Takeshi Miyakawa Design.


Flash back to this year’s ICFF controversy: Takeshi Miyakawa was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment while installing illuminated plastics bags with an “I ? New York” logo on them in Brooklyn, New York, near his Greenpoint studio. Miyakawa – hardly a sensationalist – is the principal of his own art and design studio,

Takeshi Miyakawa Design

, and has been building models for

Rafael Viñoly Architects

for over two decades.

If you were wondering what became of him, here’s your answer: “As most or maybe all of you know by now, I was arrested a while back for doing an art installation on the street, which was misconstrued as a terrorist act,” the designer wrote in a recent message to friends and colleagues. “Last Thursday[, August 2], I went to court and the judge accepted A.C.D. (adjournment in contemplation of dismissal) with ten days of community service as recommended by the prosecution.”

Miyakawa concludes, “Now I feel relieved that this issue has been resolved and I don’t have to go to court anymore. All that’s left is for me to stay out of trouble for 6 months!” For this humble artisan, that shouldn’t be difficult. He thanked everyone for their support, and celebrated with an open studio party last Friday, August 3.


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