LIGHT IS SHADOW Exhibition

A spatial installation composed of lighting prototypes, exploring “awai”—the in-between realm of light and shadow. At Milan Design Week 2026, we presented a new installation titled LIGHT IS SHADOW, centred on the theme “awai”, or the space between light and shadow. Modern society demands brightness at all hours and in every corner. While this has made our lives more convenient, it has also brought negative consequences, including excessive energy consumption and the disruption of our natural physical and mental rhythms. In response to these conditions, rather than attempting to eliminate darkness, we turned our attention to the space where light and shadow meet. By making cuts in single sheets of inorganic electroluminescent material, we created twelve lighting pieces, each with its own distinctive expression. Scattered subtly throughout the darkness, they formed an ethereal spatial installation.
What emerges is a sensibility deeply rooted in Japanese culture: an appreciation of the subtle interplay of light and shadow. By treating light and shadow as equal presences, the installation proposes an alternative form of richness—one that does not pursue brightness alone. The exhibition was designed as an opportunity to step away from the noise of everyday life and surrender, for a moment, to the depth and presence of shadow.

Category
  • Branding
  • Graphic Design
  • UI/UX Design
  • Spatial Design
Year
2026
Photo
MEDUM
Movie
MEDUM

Spatial Design

The spatial design of the exhibition was inspired by the Japanese sensibility of “in’ei”—the subtle interplay of light and shadow.
Within a darkened space loosely divided by thin translucent curtains, gentle points of light were arranged to create an environment in which light and shadow appear to engage in a quiet dialogue.
By treating light and shadow as equal presences, the installation proposes an alternative form of richness—one that does not pursue brightness alone. The space was designed to allow visitors to step away from the noise of everyday life and immerse themselves in the depth of shadow.

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Art Direction

For this exhibition, we developed not only the spatial design and lighting prototypes but also the overall art direction.
Every touchpoint—including the logo, catalogue, product packaging and exhibition website—was designed around the world of LIGHT IS SHADOW, creating a consistent and immersive brand experience.

Logo

The logo was inspired by the process of creating each piece by cutting a single sheet of material.
A custom wordmark was designed using letterforms cropped at the top and bottom. By presenting the logo in both black and white, we created a key visual that appears to shift subtly within the space between light and shadow.

Catalog

The catalogue is structured around the contrast between orange and black, reflecting the exhibition’s theme of light and shadow.
It documents the process of trial and error that led to the completion of the works, together with detailed images of each piece, offering a deeper understanding of the installation and its development.

Exhibition Website

A website designed to communicate the location of each work within the venue, along with detailed information about the individual pieces.

Special website:

lightisshadow.medum.jp

Package

Packaging designed for the lighting pieces, which can be transported in a compact, flat-packed format.
The packaging was developed as part of the visual identity of LIGHT IS SHADOW, extending the exhibition experience beyond the venue itself.