Whether they be viewed as polemical or pragmatic, this latest in the tradition of creative urban camouflage is at least entertaining and arguably even practical. Artist Aya Tsukioka drew inspiration both from the contemporary Japanese cultural infatuation with oddities and blended it with the ancient Japanese disguising notions of the ninja.
Designed for adults, this amazing urban camouflage soda machine costume unfolds from a simple red skirt. It may not be enough to fool attackers, but perhaps it would work in a crowded downtown with lights, images and other commercial urban artifacts.
The child’s alternative to soda machine camouflage is a useful backpack that doubles as a typical Japanese fire hydrant. While these designs might not be entirely useful in a strict sense, they are at least ingenious and playfully relevant to Japanese pop culture. They also serve to raise awareness about the overall increased concern for personal security in Japan.
Other examples of interesting urban camouflage include this hooded sweatshirt designed to blend into bulletin boards, the humorously titled couchmouflage and the bizarre car tent designed for urban camping. Know of any other examples? Add them below! Also be sure to check out this strange video depicting urban camouflage in action.
12 Comments
October 26th, 2007 at 3:03 am
Too bad you can’t use them for urban exploration :(
October 26th, 2007 at 9:04 am
the sofa and newpaper are really cool.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Man I need to go to tokyo, I wonder if any other sorts of concepts would work in the states… yet another wonderful idea for Urban life from Japan. you have to love the Japanese designers.
thanks for sharing
October 26th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Interesting to say the least.
October 26th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
There are so many people on the streets, in bars, trains…the idea of being unnoticed changed so much that almost anyone can remain hidden. No wonder all ninjas lost their jobs ;)
October 28th, 2007 at 2:35 am
Cool objects!! I think the “car tent” is most useful - one could realy live in it! But what is someone would like to steel your car?:-)
October 28th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Canvas tents covered with cement
December 18th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
okay, so where do I buy these? :p
March 12th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Ha, I can see the car tent becoming the next best option for the homeless who might otherwise get harassed for loitering. Too funny.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
haha…the soda machine skirt is my favorite! yea i can see myself in the morning trying to decide what to wear…theres always the possibility i will be followed today, i better wear my coke machine skirt! LOL
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