Chindogu - Absurd Objects of "Un-Useless" by Kenji Kawakami
Chindogu is the Japanese art of inventing silly and useless gadgets to solve everyday problems.
Translated literally,‘Chindogu‘ means valuable or priceless tool which, at first glance, might not be the most fitting name for products that may solve genuine problems but also bring new ones along with them.
In fact, as creator Kenji Kawakami stated when he first revealed Chindogu to the world in 1995, these objects are “un-useless.” They have a purpose, but they take their halfway practical solution to a perceived problem and stretch it to maximum absurdity.
Kawakami’s inventions include a face shield when eating ramen, a tiny broom and dustpan set attached to the tips of slippers/shoes, and a suction cup attached to a helmet that holds its wearer upright when taking a nap on the subway.
“In our world, all technology is progressing, right? So I thought why not take a simple fork and make it electric. Using this fork, with a single flick of the switch you can effortlessly wind up spaghetti. The only drawback is that the spaghetti sauce goes flying everywhere. So the end result is that it really is better not to use it.”
Kenji Kawakami
Accompanying his inventions, Kawakami has also laid out ten vital commandments of Chindogu:
Chindogu cannot be for sale; it must exist in the real world as a physical object; it must have a spirit of anarchy; it must be a tool for everyday life; it can’t be created purely for the purpose of humour; it must not be used as propaganda; it can never be taboo; it cannot be patented and it can never be prejudiced, i.e. Chindogu must never favour one race or religion over another. Young and old, male and female, rich and poor – all should have free and equal chance to enjoy each and every Chindogu.
Although Chindogu creations may be perceived as weird and useless creations, they actually are a form of art (or perhaps anti-art) that begs its viewers not to take it seriously. Chindogu are man-made objects that have broken free from the chains of usefulness. They represent freedom of thought and action, the freedom to challenge and suffocate historical dominance of conservative utility, the freedom to be useless.
