Luminous Washi Lanterns
Luminous Washi Lanterns was an interactive paper installation by students of Rhode Island School of Design with Aki Ishida for Concert for Japan, a fundraising event on April 9, 2011 for the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Inspired by traditional Japanese lantern festivals, the Installation explores the use of light and shadow in Japanese architecture and celebrates the ephemeral, fleeting nature of materials traditionally used in Japanese rituals and events.
"Assisting on the Luminous Lantern instillation has given me an invaluable opportunity to to rediscover the physical, personal, and tactile nature of architecture. As a student I am used to working removed from the public world. So it was a foreign affair and somewhat stressful for me to work so closely with real clients, participants, and time constraints. However, being invited to participate and witness such an event has allowed me remember the physical environment and process which architecture exists in." - Jason Keyes, Student in Architectonic in 2008, TA in 2009, and project assistant during installation
"Architectonics remains a significant opportunity for students at RISD with an inclination toward architecture. 'Architectonics,' as a practice and a term, has a tendency to sit objectified on a desktop -- Aki Ishida introduces her students to an architecture that necessarily engages a public dimension." - Evita Yumul, TA in 2007, participated in installation by providing comments from Japan where she now lives
"It was a really amazing experience and nothing that I could have imagined. I have to say I am proud to have been a part of the installation." - Ryan McCaffrey, Student in Architectonic in 2009 and project assistant during installation
"I was really grateful to be a part of the event for the Japanese earthquake benefit, and I definitely gained an unforgettable experience. Through helping at the workshop and assisting supporters for the Japanese relief, I learned to not only appreciate Japanese aesthetics but to also appreciate the opportunity Japan Society gave our class. I was glad to be a part of a fundraiser for Japan." - Daniel Kim, Freshman in 2011 Architectonics
"The Luminous Washi Lanterns was a wonderful culmination not only of our interests in light and materials but also in having the public participate in the making of the work and educating them in what design can do. As designers, it was very rewarding to see the visitors of all ages and background constructing our design and see it grown over the course of the event. I think writing of the messages on tanzaku helped to make the installation emotionally accessible, and the act of being in the workshop and writing created a place of gathering in the time of crisis. We saw many people stop by to touch the papers and spend time walking along the atrium to read the wishes. It was a moving experience to see the lanterns take on a new life once they were in the hands of the participants." - Aki Ishida, Design Director and Instructor of Architectonics class
"The entire Washi Lantern project has been one of the most educational and fulfilling experiences I have ever had, one I am sure I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The journey to the final installation was an evolution and accumulation of new ideas and new facts—learning about tradition Japanese lantern festivals, the idea of the impermanence and imperfection of materials, and since the very beginning of the course coming to a much richer and deeper understanding of light and shadow and all its nuances. When the final installation was finished, I could not believe what our little group from RISD had been able to complete. It far surpassed any of my expectations, and I was so proud of everyone who was involved. I want to thank the Japan Society for giving us this wonderful opportunity and for all their efforts in the Japanese earthquake relief. " - Timothy Dobday, Freshman in 2011 Architectonics
More photos of the installation process on Flickr >>
Instructor/Design Director:
Aki Ishida
Students in RISD Wintersession 2011 Architectonics Class:
Andrew Bieler
Adria Boynton*
Justin Clemons
Fernando Diaz Smith*
Timothy Dobday*
Sama El-Saket
Jungwon Coco Han
Daniel Kim
Timothy Lee
Michael Todd
Hyeon Na Woo
Kendall Wrightson
*Design leads. Projects selected and developed for final installation.
Project Assistants:
Jason Keyes, 2009 TA
Ryan McCaffrey
Edward Tristan Mead, 2011 TA
Special thanks to
Lynnette Widder, Architecture Department Head
Evita Yumul, 2007 TA
Eri Yamagata
All former students and TA's of Architectonics 2007 to 2011
"Assisting on the Luminous Lantern instillation has given me an invaluable opportunity to to rediscover the physical, personal, and tactile nature of architecture. As a student I am used to working removed from the public world. So it was a foreign affair and somewhat stressful for me to work so closely with real clients, participants, and time constraints. However, being invited to participate and witness such an event has allowed me remember the physical environment and process which architecture exists in." - Jason Keyes, Student in Architectonic in 2008, TA in 2009, and project assistant during installation
"Architectonics remains a significant opportunity for students at RISD with an inclination toward architecture. 'Architectonics,' as a practice and a term, has a tendency to sit objectified on a desktop -- Aki Ishida introduces her students to an architecture that necessarily engages a public dimension." - Evita Yumul, TA in 2007, participated in installation by providing comments from Japan where she now lives
"It was a really amazing experience and nothing that I could have imagined. I have to say I am proud to have been a part of the installation." - Ryan McCaffrey, Student in Architectonic in 2009 and project assistant during installation
"I was really grateful to be a part of the event for the Japanese earthquake benefit, and I definitely gained an unforgettable experience. Through helping at the workshop and assisting supporters for the Japanese relief, I learned to not only appreciate Japanese aesthetics but to also appreciate the opportunity Japan Society gave our class. I was glad to be a part of a fundraiser for Japan." - Daniel Kim, Freshman in 2011 Architectonics
"The Luminous Washi Lanterns was a wonderful culmination not only of our interests in light and materials but also in having the public participate in the making of the work and educating them in what design can do. As designers, it was very rewarding to see the visitors of all ages and background constructing our design and see it grown over the course of the event. I think writing of the messages on tanzaku helped to make the installation emotionally accessible, and the act of being in the workshop and writing created a place of gathering in the time of crisis. We saw many people stop by to touch the papers and spend time walking along the atrium to read the wishes. It was a moving experience to see the lanterns take on a new life once they were in the hands of the participants." - Aki Ishida, Design Director and Instructor of Architectonics class
"The entire Washi Lantern project has been one of the most educational and fulfilling experiences I have ever had, one I am sure I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The journey to the final installation was an evolution and accumulation of new ideas and new facts—learning about tradition Japanese lantern festivals, the idea of the impermanence and imperfection of materials, and since the very beginning of the course coming to a much richer and deeper understanding of light and shadow and all its nuances. When the final installation was finished, I could not believe what our little group from RISD had been able to complete. It far surpassed any of my expectations, and I was so proud of everyone who was involved. I want to thank the Japan Society for giving us this wonderful opportunity and for all their efforts in the Japanese earthquake relief. " - Timothy Dobday, Freshman in 2011 Architectonics
More photos of the installation process on Flickr >>
Instructor/Design Director:
Aki Ishida
Students in RISD Wintersession 2011 Architectonics Class:
Andrew Bieler
Adria Boynton*
Justin Clemons
Fernando Diaz Smith*
Timothy Dobday*
Sama El-Saket
Jungwon Coco Han
Daniel Kim
Timothy Lee
Michael Todd
Hyeon Na Woo
Kendall Wrightson
*Design leads. Projects selected and developed for final installation.
Project Assistants:
Jason Keyes, 2009 TA
Ryan McCaffrey
Edward Tristan Mead, 2011 TA
Special thanks to
Lynnette Widder, Architecture Department Head
Evita Yumul, 2007 TA
Eri Yamagata
All former students and TA's of Architectonics 2007 to 2011
Luminous Washi Lanterns is funded by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) Education grant and RISD Architecture Department. Mulberry paper provided in part by C2F and RISD Store. Wiring for lights by Katsura Construction, Inc.
