Collaboration with creators: How did it begin?

Ando: The exhibition project Forest of Mechanisms was born from our desire to share the technical appeal of watches with a wider audience.

Fujieda: While our watch technology is often showcased at industry events, we seldom have opportunities to engage directly with the general public. To explore new possibilities, we brought together a group of designers and engineers for a series of initial discussions.

Ando: It was during this time that the Seiko Seed project was launched internally. Initially, we envisioned a modest presentation lasting two or three weeks, but thanks to the support of our colleagues, the scale and duration of the project gradually grew.

Ando: To ensure we could deliver a high-quality exhibition, we reached out to Mr. Kiriyama of TRUNK LTD., whose experience in this field far exceeded our own. We had also collaborated with him in the past, which made it a natural choice.

Kiriyama: That’s right. What struck me first was Seiko’s initial proposal for Forest of Mechanisms—I found it truly inspiring. As the overall producer, I focused on how to elevate the quality of the exhibition and gave careful thought to selecting the right creators for the project.

Matsuyama: Mr. Kiriyama approached me at the time of the second Forest of Mechanisms event. With so many creators involved, I remember feeling both excited and a little anxious about what lay ahead.

Kiriyama: I had known Mr. Matsuyama, the representative of the creative group siro, for over a decade. His work has always been highly innovative, so I knew that if there were someone I could entrust with this, it would be him. I also felt we were well aligned in terms of our social and cultural activities, which resonate with Seiko’s philosophy.

Fujieda: I usually design mechanisms for watch movements, and in this project, my role was to provide technical consultation and advice to help bring the external creators’ ideas to life.

An artwork shaped by water, inspired by sound

Matsuyama: Among the pieces I’ve created, I’m especially fond of Drops of Time. Its mechanism releases a droplet of water every second, inviting people to reflect on the precision of mechanical watches and the very concept of time.

Fujieda: I was genuinely impressed that you came up with such an idea.

Ando: Initially, I simply wanted to inspire some creative thinking, so I asked the creators to take apart and reassemble a watch movement. At that time, Mr. Matsuyama and his team were very intrigued and found the process fascinating. I never imagined, however, that it would evolve into such a large-scale project.

Matsuyama: During a lecture on watches from Seiko, I learned about a device called a “watch timing machine.” I was surprised to discover that the sound of a mechanical watch is used to adjust its timing. From there, the idea grew, and I created Drops of Time. I see it as a work that allows people to experience the precision of a mechanical watch through flowing water droplets.

Kiriyama: Mr. Matsuyama and the siro team are true experts in this field, so I was confident they would exceed my expectations. When I saw their idea, I couldn’t help but smile—it was truly impressive.

Matsuyama: Initially, I planned to create several small pieces synchronized with sound and present them as a single work. However, I reconsidered, feeling that approach might not be enough to impress Mr. Kiriyama. Wanting to truly hit a home run, I decided to scrap my initial idea and rethink my approach.

Fujieda: The visitor response was very positive. One young girl, around elementary school age and unfamiliar with mechanical watches, remarked, “This is cutting edge.” In reality, the mechanism has been around for over 200 years. I believe it was meaningful to convey the concept intuitively to a broad audience without relying on complicated explanations.

Ando: We also received feedback that the work had a spiritually healing effect. Since machines and technology aren’t usually associated with “spiritual healing,” I was pleased that people experienced it that way.

Can the next Forest of Mechanisms surpass the previous ones?

Kiriyama: After the first and second iterations of Forest of Mechanisms, I wanted the third to tell more of a story—transforming the entire space into a cohesive narrative. My aim was to create a different impression from the previous exhibitions, so visitors would say, “Oh, now they’ve gone in this direction!” or “It has such depth!” I approached it from the perspective of letting people experience the deeper layers of the forest.

Matsuyama: I never imagined that I would be invited back for a second time, so it was quite a challenge. For the previous production, I went all out to hit a home run and I felt like I had already given my all. So, creating something new in the same location with the same theme set a very high bar.

Matsuyama: Given those conditions, I chose to approach the project from a different angle. Drawing on ideas from team members skilled in mechanics, I created Footsteps of Time.

Ando: We always look forward to unexpected ideas from creators, and with this third installment, you once again surpassed our expectations.

Matsuyama: Thank you very much. Unlike the previous work, Drops of Time, Footsteps of Time features robots that mark the passage of time in their own unique rhythm. Although the two concepts are entirely different, both works have a way of making you lose track of time. I feel this one, in particular, possesses a mysterious and captivating charm.

Kiriyama: With each iteration, I’ve gained new insights and I now feel I’m beginning to understand my role—to provide an environment where the creators can let their creativity run free.

Fujieda: I think the third installment successfully brought together works where machines became the main characters. It feels as though we’ve finally been able to give clear form to the idea that these machines serve as the foundation for the creators’ uninhibited expression.

Making the world more fascinating with mechanisms

Fujieda: I’m a watch engineer, but I’ve always been drawn to advanced technology. This project reminded me how exciting it is to explore new and innovative ideas.

Kiriyama: In fact, we’re already planning the fourth exhibition. I believe Forest of Mechanisms has become a way of expressing Seiko’s corporate culture. It’s important to continue these activities so that more people can experience and connect with that culture.

Ando: I couldn’t agree more. The word karakuri in the exhibition title goes beyond simply meaning “mechanism.” It carries a sense of excitement and wonder—something we also want people to feel through Seiko’s timepieces.

Matsuyama: I have always reflected on how technology is used. While it is typically developed to make life more convenient, it often leads to time feeling compressed and our schedules becoming overloaded—leaving many people feeling overwhelmed. I believe technology should not only serve convenience but also help make the world a more enjoyable and enriching place. In that sense, I feel exhibitions like this have a very important role to play.

Fujieda: People have long asked, “Why do we still need watches in this digital age?” In some countries, more and more people are unable to read analog timepieces. That’s why I hope we can continue to showcase the beauty of analog technology and help people rediscover the unique appeal of watches.

As Seiko Seed continues to carry out innovative activities in the future, we hope you will join us on this ongoing journey of discovery.