lightflakes for Star Micronics by YUJI OKITSU
This project was designed for the entrance lobby of the new building of a global electronics, machine tool and precision components company based in Japan. By methodically assembling small, thin lenses to finely pick up the light and create objects like large screens of light, we embody our client's corporate statement, "Miniature Technology, Infinite World”.
The screen is made of art pieces named "lightflakes", designed with the concept of restructuring light. This art piece is made of a 40mm diameter, 0.3mm thin lens that can be created any form according to use or spatial condition. When "lightflakes" is combined with precision, the light is materialized by the effect of the lens, transmitting and creating never-ending reflections and replicating with the landscape. The two screens suspended in the lobby are made up of 53,900 "lightflakes", which are lenses, assembled horizontally and vertically. It receives the natural light entering through the glass facade and the reflected light of the picture projected on the wall in front of the lobby, and the formless light is restructured to produce a space. Considering the relationship between light and blank space as important, the space created by the two screens was planned to receive maximum natural light from the outside, creating a variety of scenes depending on the position of the viewer. In addition, the large screen, 8 meters wide and 3 meters high, is placed toward the back of the lobby, directs visitors to the archive space, and encourage activity.
The myriad lenses of the screen duplicate the reflected light of the magnificent picture of nature, flora and fauna, the precision components of the enterprise and the technology projected on the wall, one by one. At the same time, it gradually takes in the outside environment, linking with the shifting light of the outside over time, and weaves it into a light sculpture that quietly changes the aspect of the room. By reconstructing natural light into a formative sculpture, even the slightest change in light can be perceived. Through this work of art piece, it gives people the opportunity to be aware of light as a hint to focus on the often-underrated environmental changes and beauties lurking in our daily lives. This project respects the concept as art, while also giving activity to the context of the space and embodying the expression of the client's corporate statement, fused with the characteristics of the art piece. Creating such the space with the installation enhances the value of the entrance lobby, which is the main face of the corporation.
