Luminous Washi Lanterns

Luminous Washi Lanterns was designed and installed collaboratively by a team led by Aki Ishida and her students at Rhode Island School of Design. It was installed on Saturday, April 9, 2011 during the CONCERT FOR JAPAN, a 12-hour benefit for Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund held in New York City.

Inspired by traditional mulberry paper lanterns typically found at Japanese festivals, this collective piece grew over the course of the day as visitors folded the lanterns and wrote earthquake relief wishes on paper and contribute to the making of the work in Japan Society’s sky-lit lobby. The event was attended by over 2,400 guests in one day, and remained on display for six additional weeks.

Photography: George Hirose and Eri Yamagata

for CONCERT FOR JAPAN at The Japan Society

New York, NY (2011)

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