Eiffel Tower dressed in Japanese Lights - by Motoko Ishii & Akari-Lisa Ishii Paris Design Week
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I�C�O�N�
Ishii Conception Office Network
by
Motoko Ishii &
Akari-Lisa Ishii
JAPONISMES 2018
SPECIAL LIGHT-UP OF EIFFEL TOWER
Eiffel Tower dressed in Japanese Lights
PRESS DOCUMENT
What is “Japonismes 2018”?
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From the Edo period (1603-1868) to the Meiji period (1868-1912), many Japanese works of art, such as Ukiyo-e
and pottery found their way to the Western world in conjunction with the opening of Japanese ports.
Seen for the first time, this highly expressive art made a strong impression on Parisian artists of that time and
the so-called “Japonismes” (interest in Japan) was born. Painters representative of the era, such as Monet
and van Gogh, collected Ukiyo-e works, replicated them and added kimono motifs, creating a major boom.
Since then, not only has the trend been passed down in contemporary and modern art; Japan has also reim-
ported works and a collection was formed in America. In this way it has had a worldwide effect.
2018 Marks the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and France.
In May 2016, Japan’s Prime Minister Abe met with then-President of France, François Hollande. They agreed
to hold a festival of Japanese culture and art, “Japonismes 2018,” in Paris, two years ahead of the 2020 Tokyo
Olympic and Paralympic Games.
More than 50 official events introducing a wide range of Japanese culture such as Kabuki, Noh, Bunraku and
other stage performances from traditional to contemporary theater and dance; exhibitions of Ito Jakuchu,
Rimpa and other Jomon-through-contemporary works and architecture; movies, manga, anime, festivals,
food culture, crafts, and more are planned for the eight-month period between July 2018 and February 2019.
A secretariat has been set up by The Japan Foundation and preparations are under way.
Following the official opening in July of Japonismes
2018, which the leaders of both France and Japan are
expected to attend, and after the end of summer va-
cation, September will see the opening of a full-fledged
culture season in France, with Japonismes 2018 and
many events including the Eiffel Tour Special Light-up
among the highlights.
For further information, please refer to
the Japonismes 2018 website
: https://japonismes.org
2
JAPONISMES 2018
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Special Light-up of Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower dressed in Japanese Lights
by Motoko Ishii & Akari-Lisa Ishii
As the highlight of Japonismes 2018, there will be a special light-up of France’s representative monument,
the Eiffel Tower. Known worldwide, the tower is located in western Paris on the bank of the Seine River. Built
by Gustav Eiffel in 1887 to commemorate the International Exposition of 1867 held in Paris, this radio tower
symbolic of France stands 324 meters tall and is still in use today as a radio tower.
It is said that carrying-out a light-up using the latest lighting technology since the time of the tower’s completion
is like continually dressing a lady in a beautiful dress of light to be the face of night. In the past, color light-ups
have been held in connection with French national projects and international events related to France, but
there has never been a production with Japan as the theme.
This time, as one of the official events and highlight of Japonismes 2018, a collaboration of France and Japan
based on an agreement between the two countries, Japan will be adopted as the theme for the first time
and a special light-up of the Eiffel Tower embodying Japonismes will be carried out.
3
Project outline
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Date & Time: September 13–14, 2018 (Thu, Fri) 2018, from sunset to 01:00
Venue: Eiffel Tower, Paris
Eiffel Tower
dressed in
Japanese Lights Co-organizers :
The Japan Foundation
Executive Committee for Special Light-up of Eiffel Tower, Japonismes 2018
Planners & Producers :
Motoko Ishii & Akari-Lisa Ishii
Lighting Design & Production :
Motoko Ishii & Motoko Ishii Lighting Design (Tokyo)
Akari-Lisa Ishii & I.C.O.N. (Paris)
Partners : City of Paris
Eiffel Tower operating company
Chaillot - National Dance Theater
Sponsors : Panasonic, Stanley Electric, Shima Seiki MFG
Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airlines, NTT Communications, Inter Light Forum
Cooperation :
Tokyo National Museum
Nezu Museum
4
Event highlights
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Points in special light-up
The light-up that is the highlight event of this anniversary project is a great opportunity to raise awareness of
Japanese culture, and this is realized through the following Philosophies.
• Not only Japan’s traditional culture, but also its current technology is used in the artistic expression
• The performance will familiarize local visitors and tourists with Japanese culture, including those with
no particular interest in Japan
• For this reason, located in the capital city of the country to realize the light performance on the
representative monument.
• Many people can see it for free
• And, while commemorating the anniversary of friendship between Japan and the country, transmit a
message of light to the world
Points of Eiffel Tower special light-up
• The Eiffel Tower light-up expresses the beauty of Japan
• This is the first time that the Eiffel Tower is being lit up for two nights event in an exchange event
between the two countries.
• It is the creation of two Japanese female designers (mother and daughter)
• It is an expression of the latest Japanese technology
18 Panasonic large-scale image projectors
120 Stanley Electric special gold LED floodlights
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Design Concept
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Eiffel Tower Dressed in Japanese Lights
Eiffel Tower
dressed in The special light-up comprises two programs with a combined running time of 10 minutes; the programs
Japanese Lights repeat continuously.
A special light-up on the Eiffel Tower structure expresses the beauty of Japan, creating a light-art work by
wrapping the tower with images of Japan’s culture on this Parisian landmark.
Based on an original scenario, an original soundtrack is created for the theme of Japan,
increasing the synergy between light and sound.
Program 1. LIGHT PERFORMANCE (7 min)
Program 2. SYMBOLIC IMAGE (3 min)
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Program 1: Light performance
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Theme: Liberty, Beauty, Diversity
Light More than 200 years have passed since the French Revolution with its slogan of republican democracy
”LIBERTÉ (Liberty)—EGALITÉ (Equality)—FRATERNITÉ (Fraternity).” Considering the common direction
Performance that France and Japan are headed in today, three important themes come to mind. Both countries are
democracies and both love art, also the message of light transmitted from the Eiffel Tower expressing our
7 min desire to continue to lead a diverse and peaceful world is our theme. Thus, our light performance is com-
posed of the following features.
Story board
Introduction
In French, Japan is also known as LE PAYS DU SOLEIL LEVANT (the country of the rising sun). The symbolism of the
sun on the Japanese flag, or Hinomaru, and the simple but strong graphism are an exotic artistic expression
which has been highly regarded in France and other countries since the 19th century. It symbolizes the
longing and sacredness of pure white that is deeply rooted in the Japanese aesthetic sense. The crimson sun
gradually rising against a white background is a dynamic presentation. This scene, called “Tower of the Rising
Sun,” is part of the opening.
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Program 1, Light performance (Introduction) “Tower of the Rising Sun”
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Light
Performance
7 min
8
Program 1: Light performance
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Development － Liberty
Light The theme of “Liberty” is expressed by two colored lights and intersecting beams symbolizing the freedom
of exchange and dialogue between the countries, and light patterns creating the image of interwoven
Performance friendship. The world’s latest special equipment is used to develop a dynamic fabric of light on the Eiffel
Tower, heightening the dramatic effect of the production.
7 min
Turning point － Beauty
Continuing, for the section on the theme “Beauty” Japan’s National-Treasure class works were specially
selected from the Tokyo National Museum’s collection and images projected on the tower’s west face using
a laser projection system developed in Japan. In addition, light projections expressing Japan’s traditional
beauty motif, “Setsugekka” (Snow, Moon, Flowers), featuring a dignified Mt. Fuji, covered with snow the moon
over waves in the sea and cherry blossoms in full bloom, bring the performance to a climax.
Conclusion － Diversity
In “Diversity,” the final section, lights in various colors and patterns paint the Eiffel Tower in this contemporary
performance. The various patterns and light beams move with the music, making the Eiffel Tower itself seem
to dance, heightening the impact of the performance. It is a message of light telling the world that Japan
and France are aiming for a future open to the diversity.
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Program 1, Light performance (Turning point) “Beauty—Setsugekka”
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Light
Performance
7 min
10Program 2: Symbolic Image
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Using a gold background is a symbolic technique in Japanese art expression. Gold is used in the light-up of
the Eiffel Tower to symbolize Japan, used to be called the “golden country.” Floodlights emitting gold-colored
light are newly developed in Japan for this event.
Symboc
Image Against that background, the image of Korin Ogata’s Kakitsubata-zu byobu (Irises Painted on a Folding
Screen), a National Treasure in the Nezu Museum collection, is projected. Applied in a mapping projection
3 min for the first time in the world, this masterpiece is projected on the Eiffel Tower like a slowly drifting poetic
expression.
11Simulation: Program 2, Symbolic Image “Golden Tower and Irises”
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Symbolic
Image
3 min
12Background leading to this special light-up anniversary project
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Motoko Ishii, a world-famous lighting designer representative of Japan, and her daughter Akari-Lisa Ishii,
active internationally from her base in Paris, have collaborated on numerous projects commemorating the
anniversaries of friendly relations between Japan and other countries, producing special commemorative
light-ups at the request of the local Japanese embassy.
Special commemorative anniversary light-up produced by Motoko Ishii and Akari-Lisa Ishii :
2008
La Seine — Light Messages from Japan, Paris
2009 Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations
Budapest Elisabeth Bridge Light-up
2011 Event Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Relationship between
Germany and Japan “Light Message for Peace”, Berlin
2013 Japan-China Friendship Year Commemorative Event
“Eternal Time-Space and Friendship for the Future”, Beijing
2014 Light Event Commemorating the 150the Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations between Switzerland and Japan “TRANJS”, Bern
2016 Light Event Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between
Italy and Japan “ COLOSSEUM LIGHT MESSAGES -Love to Humanity, Love to Earth-”, Rome
13Motoko Ishii
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Lighting Designer & Principal of Motoko Ishii Lighting Design
Honorary Director, Japan International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD Japan) / Honorary Chairperson,
Motoko Ishii Asian Lighting Designers’ Association (ALDA) / Advisor to the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic
and Paralympic Games / Fellow, International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Member / Illuminating
Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) / Member, Japan National Committee of CIE / Honorary
Member, Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan / Representative, Inter Light Forum
Motoko Ishii, a leading Japanese lighting designer, works with a wide range of light, from urban illumination
to architectural lighting. Her activities cover not only within Japan but also all over the world. Graduated
from Tokyo University of the Arts. After studying in Finland and Germany, established Motoko Ishii Lighting
Design Inc., Tokyo in 1968.
Her main works: Lighting Design — Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo, Yokohama Bay Bridge, Akashi
Kaikyo Bridge, Tokyo Gate Bridge, Himeji Castle, Shirakawa Village (Gifu), Sensoji Temple, Expo 2005 Aichi,
Japan, Hokkaido Toyako Summit, Heijo-kyo Daigoku Palace, Kabukiza Theatre, Shanghai World Financial
Center…
Received the year 2000 “Shiju-hosho” (Purple Ribbon Medal) of honor from the National Government and
the year 1992 “Tokyo Metropolitan Prize of Culture” from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
To date, Motoko Ishii has received many international awards from authoritative organizations including
over 40 awards from IESNA & IALD.
Books: “MOTOKO LIGHT+SPACE+TIME”, “Lighting Horizons”, “Creation of Lightscape” etc.
www.motoko-ishii.co.jp
14Akari-Lisa Ishii
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AKARI-LISA ISHII – Lighting Designer & Principal of I.C.O.N.
Member of International Lighting Designers Association (IALD) / Member of French Lighting Designers Associa-
tion (ACE) / Lighting Consultant (diplome delivered by Illuminating Engineering Society Japan) / Member of
Akari-Lisa Ishii Reflection Committee for the tourism in Tokyo / Member of the Mascot & Branding Committee of the Tokyo
Olympic and Paralympic Games / Associate Professor at the Tokyo Urban University / Guest Lighting Designer
at Maison & Objet Paris fair / Artist-Ambassador of the Lyon Festival of Lights
Born in Tokyo. While studying in Tokyo University of the Arts, and the master course in the Tokyo University,
she learned design and art also in the US and France. After training lighting design at Howard Brandston &
Partners (N.Y.) and Motoko Ishii Lighting Design (Tokyo), she became chief designer at Light Cibles (Paris).
Before founding her company, I.C.O.N., in Tokyo and Paris, in 2004.
This company aims to create and convey new concepts and light trends. With its international network,
know-how and range of light vocabulary, it carries out urban projects, architectural, scenographic, landscaping,
events ... all around the world.
Her representative works are Pompidou Center Metz, Kabuki Theater in Tokyo, Cherbourg Water Tower, St-Michel
area redevelopment project in Bordeaux, English Garden in the Domain of Chantilly, Yves-Saint-Laurent
museum in Marrakech, Quai Branly Museum in Paris, Lyon Festivals of Lights, Commemorative events on
the Colosseum, on the Brandenburg Gate, Kabuki Theater, etc, for which she received many international
awards.
In addition to the design, Akari-Lisa Ishii has also in her range of skills, professorship, conferences, product
design ... and even writing and graphic design for her own publication «ICONIC LIGHT», author of «My work,
fascinated by the light» & «the City and the Light».
She was also selected as one of the 120 most representative woman of Japan by Bungeishunjū.
www.icon-lighting.com
15Contacts
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Paris : I.C.O.N. - Audrey Guichard
Tel +33 6 95 62 62 40
aguichard@icon-lighting.com
Tokyo : Executive Committee for Special Light-up of Eiffel Tower, Japonismes 2018
c/o Motoko Ishii Lighting Design – Yoko Kanii
Tel +81 – (0)3-3353-5311
light@motoko-ishii.co.jp
Download the photos, the press kit :
http://icon-lighting.com/eiffeljaponismes2018.rar
www.japonismes2018highlight.com
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