OJAS LISTENING ROOM AT KARIMOKU TOKYO

Turnbull just opened "Between Space and Sound" at Tokyo's Karimoku Research Center. This is not just another listening room. The artist known as OJAS has spent two decades crafting high-efficiency speakers and low-powered tube amplifiers that aim to bring realistic, natural sound to the listener. The exhibition explores the relationship between space and audio, specifically examining the intersection of acoustic philosophy with the Japanese cultural concept of Ma. Ma is the interval in space and time that delineates, adds pause and emphasis to everything. Without Ma, the world would be a continuous blur of action and matter without meaning. Three new speakers anchor the experience. The Sanjo, Rokujo, and Nurikabe are shown alongside a seating system designed by Turnbull himself, surrounded by massive wooden horn speakers that have been produced using advanced 3D-machining technology. The collaboration with Karimoku makes perfect sense when you consider fashion's ongoing obsession with Japanese craftsmanship. Virgil Abloh's admiration of Turnbull's earlier streetwear brand Nom de Guerre ignited their friendship, leading to OJAS installations in Off-White stores. The Supreme connection tells the bigger story. Ojas speakers are installed in 14 Supreme stores worldwide. Turnbull's bespoke sound systems shape the sound of renowned locations such as Supreme Stores and can be found in several prestigious venues, including Public Records in NYC. This is not about selling equipment. This is about colonizing cultural spaces. The Karimoku Research Center opened its doors to the public on Saturday, 26 October 2024, in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo. Housed in a renovated three-story building, each floor serves a distinct function. The space is a research platform aiming to survey, archive and innovate how people live in daily life, showcasing elements ranging from experimental design collaborations and pre-production prototypes to new material samples. Here is what makes this different from every other luxury audio moment. Ma is a Japanese aesthetic principle meaning 'emptiness' or 'absence.' It is the space between objects, the silence between sounds, or the stillness between movements. As a philosophical concept Ma relates to our intrinsic need as humans to identify with purpose, to aspire and personify our lives. Ma is the space within which we exist, the space we originate and evolve from. Turnbull understands what Apple never figured out about spatial audio. The silence between the notes matters more than the notes themselves. His installations have appeared in museums and galleries such as SFMOMA, Cooper Hewitt, and Lisson Gallery. When people first hear the sound, they're blown away. A few friends had almost an emotional response. The exhibition runs until June 5. Expect every furniture brand to launch their own "spatial philosophy" by fall. Ma is about to become the new hygge, except this time the Japanese invented it first.