Sou Fujimoto creates 'Forest of Light' installation for Milan Design Week
by Kim Megson | 12 Apr 2016
Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto has designed an immersive installation called Forest of Light for Milan Design Week.
A darkened space is illuminated by towering cones of light that respond to visitors’ movements. Fog and specially-composed sounds add an atmospheric effect, and mirrored walls have been installed to create the illusion of an infinite landscape, where the conical spotlights form countless abstract trees.
“People meander through this forest, as if lured by the charm of the light,” said Fujimoto. “Light and people interact with one another, its existence defining the transition of the other.”
The design is partly inspired by the latest collection from fashion brand COS, who have participated in the design week for the past five years.
Visitors can experience the attraction – which is housed within an expansive, derelict 1930s cinema in Milan’s San Babila district – from 12-17 April 2016.
Fujimoto said: “Once, this place was a cinema and adopting the use of spotlight is an idea of homage. The spotlight becomes an interface, which connects fashion, space and forest as a form of architecture.”
Fujimoto’s work is currently being showcased at an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art exhibition in New York, called A Japanese Constellation: Toyo Ito, SANAA, and Beyond.
The architect has recently designed a vast tree-topped mixed-use building for Paris and a prefabricated pavilion for real estate developer Robbie Antonio as part of his Revolution Project.
Sou Fujimoto COS Milan Design Week Forest of Light installation art architecture design fashion
Mirrored walls create the illusion of an infinite landscape Credit: COS
A darkened space is illuminated by towering cones of light that respond to visitors’ movement Credit: COS
Coonical spotlights form a forest of countless abstract trees Credit: COS
The installation is housed within an expansive, derelict 1930s cinema in Milan’s San Babila district Credit: COS
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Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto has designed an immersive installation called Forest of Light for Milan Design Week. A darkened space is illuminated by towering cones of light that respond to visitors’ movements. Fog and specially-composed sounds add an atmospheric effect, and mirrored walls have been installed to create the illusion of an infinite landscape, where the conical spotlights form countless abstract trees. “People meander through this forest, as if lured
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