Omotesando of illumination that was resurrected as "Omotesando Akariumu" first time in eight years. Emotion full of lights of the sum that the image of a "Andon" has colored the Zelkova trees in fantastic until January 8. The Akariumu concept and of the Kaoru Mende, who worked on the producer, was interviewed, such as Shibuya recommendations to from the point of view of lighting design.

- Can you talk about the concept of "Akariumu".

The Omotesando of illumination has been discontinued in 1998, was that very lonely. In particular, I heard people and young people of the local mall and have disappointed "I want to revive some day", and had been thinking. Finally this year, it has become a reality that I think is as "Akariumu". Completely different flavor than the former glitter and the illumination, Akariumu is the production in pursuit of emotion of the sum. The first place Omotesando is because it is the historical approach, which extends to the Meiji Shrine, blurred vaguely warm, we made a lighting the image of a soft "Andon". Than the Western Christmas, shifting the perspective to the traditional Japanese New Year of the event, we wanted to place a new "SKETCHES of light" from Omotesando. While the "lights of the sum" to warm and diffuse into the basic, using the friendly LED to Earth (light-emitting diode), we produce a change of the variety of facial expressions.

- Such was the the led to such concept, What kind of circumstances there was.

Values ​​of the people in the eight years from 1998, has changed dramatically. Shopping Board Harajuku Champs Elysees Board of Omotesando at the time: it was named (now Harajuku Keyakikai Omotesando). So I had the idea that there is to model a city in Europe. Japanese the other hand there is a merit that it is good to arrange to borrow the design from the outside, has often been criticized in the absence of originality. However, in recent years, the situation will change, lighting designers such as architects and we are more and more work in foreign countries, from Japan of design is now attracting attention. Certainly, but the headwaters of the modern design might be in Europe and the United States, Japan and China, such as India, design culture originating is accepted all over the world from Asia countries. Now, I composition is over that chase in Europe and the United States. Then, there was the idea that you want going back to the Japanese-style beauty in Akariumu. In the past of Omotesando of illumination it has been propagated to the region become a groundbreaking attempt, after a few years gentle light of design Akariumu aim is, might evoke the boom in Japan. The visitors expect a flood of light, But I might be a bit unsatisfactory (laughs). To present the new values ​​are, somewhere we do not advance to the earlier unless disappoint. Premature Kana that I think also there was somewhat, it seems not a few are those who accept for now Akariumu.

Omotesando Akariumu

- Mende and Mr. Shibuya of the encounter?

Because it is born in Tokyo, the Shibuya and Harajuku is the epicenter of culture and design had been through Shigeku foot from the old days. It had offices in Shibuya, because it is often inspired by the surrounding environment. In particular Jingumae that my office is an environment that can feel the tranquility of the urban hustle and bustle and the residential area to the back and belly. I feel very dynamism of the city. Design is in contact with a variety of people, is what make up while loading the communication. In that respect, the large number of people spiral in Shibuya, different races often with their own. And not on the extension of the people's expectations, continues to rise to new fashion and culture always in the form of disappointing. Such features can not be found in any other city. So to speak, it is like lying is initiator of the idea to the city.

- In the world of lighting design, Shibuya How is positioned.

The new lighting technology in Shibuya will be tried quickly. In recent years, a technique for controlling the boom of the LED (light emitting diodes) on the computer as well, in the downtown area of ​​Shibuya has been introduced quickly. Its advanced sight has been attracting attention from the world. Previously, from the famous lighting designer in New York, so to participate in the renovation of the competition of Times Square, there was a thing that was asked me to send to take a scene of Night of Shibuya to the video. He So you that I felt inspired to Shibuya. In Shibuya, Japan, of course, I think that I can boast that spreads out spectacle that uniqueness that can not be seen in Paris to New York. In particular, night view is a characteristic, Shibuya of charm, than during the day of 12 hours, you might say that in the night of 12 hours.

- From the point of view of lighting design, could you talk about Shibuya of challenges.

The other day, gave a presentation about the city lighting is requested from the Singapore government. To enjoy the Singapore of the night right on the equator, I was thinking what a tropical night view is appropriate. At the same there will be necessary to consider the unique urban lighting in order to produce the Shibuya likeness in the same way. But until now had been distracted by the only thing to increase the amount of light, only really do people become happy illuminate the night as of noon. Such era was over with, I think. Not only the addition of the light, it is also necessary to create a shadow sometimes the subtraction. Rather than the amount of light, to be the production that has been refined to suit every single commercial facility or would not become the key to the future of the idea. When you thought, "Hey let drink full" is, than is illuminated To this way, I'm more of a dim city lit the pop and red lanterns will fit the mood. "What is so cool shadow I is in the Shibuya" I hope so as to think that such urban development.

- In addition, Shibuya What can you improve what is in order to increase the appeal.

Unlike all of the planned city as theme park, Shibuya is spontaneously born town. Therefore dynamic of is I'm a big attraction. In particular disarray is passers-by from all directions, the scramble intersection in front of the station to a myriad of commercial sign is uniformly opposite is an interesting sight as it can be said that the huge city of outdoor stage. I think that interesting if directed the that intersection lighting. However, signs are flooding in pursuit of just economic rationality in front of the station because there is no plan of the city, is also a fact easy to appear is sight not very beautiful. So, you may need a certain amount of design code in the future. In Shibuya, and Shinjuku and other towns such as Ginza and there certainly is a different culture. Think Yukari deep people thorough investigation of the essence in Shibuya, I think I want to take advantage to the new town development. Why do not we make and design committee to consider the Shibuya of the city?

Omotesando AkariumuAbout resurrected one kilometer light of illumination that decorate the zelkova tree-lined is for the first time in eight years. The street lights of the 60 groups covered with a semi-transparent double film, directing from the inside LED as Andon in light of soft orange (light-emitting diode). The color of the lanterns have been scenes program that changes in various ways depending on the time. Period: December 5 to January 8, Time: 17:00 pm to 22 (31 December until New Year's Day of the sunrise)

■ profile
Kaoru Mende's
Lighting designer, Ltd. Lighting Planners Associates representative, professor at Musashino Art University

1950 Born in Tokyo. Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Graduate School of Fine Arts Graduate School graduates. After serving as a major architectural design company work, he founded the Lighting Planners Associates (LPA) in 1990. Housing and building, beside to produce the lighting of a wide range of areas such as the city and the environment, lighting Cultural Studies Association of citizen participation to observe and study the light of the city a "lighting Detectives" organized, during deployment vigorously activities as leader .

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Lighting Detectives