Over the past four years, SACo has consolidated its collaboration with Mazda in the framework of events such as the Madrid Design Festival. And in 2023, of course, it was not going to be less: in the great design event in the capital this season, the Japanese firm and the Spanish Association of Contemporary Crafts have launched Intangible Traits, an exhibition that, in the words of the Hiroshima house, is an "intimate journey through the craftsmanship of excellence".

It will be held from 9 to 18 February at the Palacio de Santa Bárbara (Hortaleza, 87. Madrid), a space converted into an atelier for reflection that invites us to cultivate a frontal conversation with each work. Curated by Victoria Pereda, an expert consultant in sustainability and innovation, the multi-sensorial space encourages the visitor to enter into dialogue with each piece in the exhibition through qualities such as colour, material and form in order to establish a link between the works, the artisans and the spectator.

It is an environmentally friendly project in which Mazda exhibits its flagship Mazda CX-60 plug-in hybrid, together with the new Mazda MX-30 R-EV with rotary engine and also plug-in hybrid, which can always be driven in electric mode. "A collective process that, without losing its individualism, allows us to conceptually express the value of unique craftsmanship techniques, as well as the ability to push the handmade into the future through quality, innovative and contemporary design", they explain.

Craftsmanship, also in cars

This is why the work of 29 SACo craftsmen can be seen here, which serves as a thread to enter another world of craftsmanship such as that of Mazda's Takumi masters, who provide a handcrafted touch in the creation of their vehicles.

In addition to the various pieces by the SACo craftsmen and the two Mazda vehicles on display, visitors can also enjoy a sculpture developed by the Institute for Material design (IMD), part of the Offenbach University of Art and Design and Mazda Motor Corporation, which is an interactive installation that reinterprets the Japanese design philosophy from a European perspective. It represents the Japanese concept of "Ma" in Japanese art and craftsmanship. Literally, "Ma" means hollow, space, pause, and is a philosophy that refers to time and the spaces in between.