tokujin yoshioka's 'glass project' at 21_21 design sight reflects the notion of light as art

with his poetic, experimental and nature-influenced aesthetic, tokujin yoshioka is a designer renowned in the international design, architecture, and contemporary art scenes. at 21_21 design sight — a museum in tokyo conceived by architect tadao ando and fashion designer issey miyake — an exhibition focused on yoshioka’s glass works as a medium to express the qualities of light.

designboom met with tokujin yoshioka at the show in tokyo, touring the exhibition space alongside the designer to uncover the projects in more detail.

‘waterfall’ bench in front of the museum | image by masaya yoshimura

the work on view at 21_21 design sight reflects the unique notion of nature in japan, held within people’s minds and memories. by doing so, the exhibition brings the essence of creativity derived from light and glass closer to viewers. the selection of yoshioka’s works on exhibit ranges from the recognizable ‘water block’, to footage of the architecture project ‘kou-an glass tea house‘, to ‘rainbow church’ to his latest work ‘glass watch prism’, a dom pérignon art project.

detail of ‘waterfall’ bench | image © tokujin yoshioka inc.

this body of work seeks to impact viewers’ senses through the use of intangible materials, such as light, sound, and scent. through this, yoshioka has achieved unique expressions that lie beyond the common notion of form. visitors to 21_21 design sight are invited to fully experience and become immersed in the world of light that lives within tokujin yoshioka’s glass works.

‘waterfall’ bench | photo by masaya yoshimura