LUCENT's transparent flowers, made of steel + prisms, bloom in kyoto's sennyuji temple

on the occasion of the rakuchu kansei art exhibition 2021, LUCENT design by takahiro matsuo has filled kyoto’s sennyuji temple with ‘transparent flowers’ made of steel lines and prisms. the installation piece is displayed at the entrance to the temple, in the sennin no niwa garden, designed by renowned japanese landscape architect mirei shigemori. the flowers bloom in profusion in mid-air, bringing a new rhythm of light to the garden’s still ambience.all images © LUCENT

LUCENT by takahiro matsuo has installed the ‘transparent flowers’ piece across the sennin no niwa garden, located at the entrance to the sennyuji temple. the garden was designed by mirei shigemori (1896–1975), modern japanese landscape architect and historian of japanese gardens. while retaining the spirit of modernism and abstract expression discovered by mirei in this classical garden, the installation introduces a new rhythm of light and movement to the overall visitor experience.

the installation piece comprises numerous transparent flowers that ‘bloom’ across the garden. the flowers are made transparent with the use of steel lines, which serve as the stems, and prisms that are shaped like petals. swaying in the wind, they produce a space that has a vague sense of movement amid the garden’s stillness.

project info:

name: transparent flowers (透花)

designer: LUCENT by takahiro matsuo

location: mitera sennyuji temple, kyoto, japan