Design Lighting Tokyo 2015 - what to see at this year's show


Nicely timed to lift us out of the post-festive doldrums, Japan’s capital is lighting up in January with
the third edition of its three-day lighting show.


FX

Words by Emily Martin

14 - 16 January Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo.

The new year is soon to be upon us, with January being the month that many struggle through, often with another expensive gym membership or self-imposed diet. Thankfully Design Lighting Tokyo is (quite literally) lighting up the month ahead with what is now established as being one of the biggest lighting events of the year, showcasing the latest global lighting designers and products.

FX is thrilled to be attending Designing Lighting Tokyo 2015, with assistant editor Emily Martin in the Japanese capital to report on the latest global lighting trends and innovations on offer at the show.

1. Gallery Ari
More ceramic studio than design, Gallery Ari creates delicately designed ceramic features using the concept 'lights illuminating the pottery'. Lighting is used to 'power' the pieces, both literally and metaphorically. Gallery Ari's products capture the elements to create delights such as Ripples (pictured), a ceramic lamp evocative of water ripples to create 'calming decor'.

2. Sonobe design office
Office lighting design company Sonobe Design Office will be unveiling its latest lighting design at the show. Named Edge, the light features OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology as well as being a striking form.

Sonobe design office

The company says that it wants to create meaningful lighting and tie in its customers with 'optimal lighting' solutions, which it strives to develop for use in the work environment.

3. Buzzi & Buzzi
First-time exhibitors at the event is Italian lighting company Buzzi & Buzzi, which will be exhibiting as part of Next Lighting, a dedicated exhibition for new products and manufacturers.

Buzzi & Buzzi

Among the company's products to be shown is Leaf (pictured). It features a recessed fitting to enable the light to be intentionally integrated in a wall or ceiling, presenting its 'peeled' look as a feature in an interior design scheme.

4. Feel Lab
The Japan-based company, Feel Lab, takes a unique approach to lighting design by making a 'commitment' to the user. By designing lighting for 'fun' its products evoke a positive emotion with the user, as seen with LiLi (pictured), which will be displayed at the show.

Feel Lab

The handmade pendant in maple takes the form of a typical light bulb, but it is the wood that diffuses the light into the room.

5. Lapla
Japanese company Lapla has produced a range of handmade lighting under the name of Pasta Crystal, capturing a spaghettilike quality for its products.

Lapla

On display at the Design Lighting Tokyo event will be Pasta Crystal Kinoko - also known as Crystal Mushroom Pasta (pictured) - one of Lapla's new products that will undoubtedly make a fun addition (or additions) to a wide range of interior spaces.

6. Philknot
Also to feature in the Next Lighting exhibition is Philknot, a Japanese company showcasing a unique range of lighting made from vintage kimono fabrics and featuring LEDs and fibre-optic technology.

Philknot

On display will be its new design called Nadeshiko Chandelier (pictured). As well as creating beautiful textile lighting products Philknot also designs exquisite one-off costumes which also integrate LED and fibre-optic technology.

Speaker event: Jun Aoki
15 January 3.30pm - 5pm

The show will also feature a series of seminars and talks, led by prominent design figures from Japan and around the world. Included in the line-up is architect Jun Aoki, who established his own practice in Tokyo in 1991. Aoki's diverse range of works includes a series of houses, public architecture and fashion boutiques, as seen with his current design series of Louis Vuitton stores.

Jun Aoki

His 1997 project for the Fukushima Lagoon Museum won the Architectural Institute of Japan Annual Award and he has been commended for his architectural and artistic achievements. In 2005 Aoki was awarded the Minister of Education's Art Encouragement Prize.








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