Interviewer: Iris Wu
Iris：Hi Mende-san, today we are going to talk about what era you would like to visit if you had a time machine. This ‘era’ can refer to your personal lifetime, or a historical period, or even a future era you imagine.
For me, I would go back to around 2010, when I got into a really good middle school and I didn’t have to worry so much about studying. Since it was a boarding school and there were no mobile phones, my classmates and I always hung out together. Also back in those days, my parents were still very young and healthy. I would love to go back to that time and enjoy it with them.
Mende: So, you remember your happy days. What about the future? Do you have any ideas about what it might hold?
Iris: Not really, because I believe there are many unpredictable things ahead. I enjoy the uncertainty in my life; just like how I never knew I would pursue design one day, I’m excited about what I’m doing now.
Mende: Of course, nobody knows what will happen in the future. However, you know, I’m still curious. I’m very surprised by your answer because I thought with a time machine, it would be the distant past or the far future.
As for me, I’d like to go back to 200-300 years ago, when Japan had a very peaceful and exciting life. It was the Edo era. There were so may artists and they kept only Japanese style before the modern life’s coming. It was a beautiful life -simple and humble. Back that time the Japanese painting and sculpture were unique and completely different from Europeans’. As Chinese, you also have similar thoughts? Is there any era you also want to go back?
Iris: I got that. To be honest, although I love the Chinese history, I don’t want to go back because it was hard for woman to live freely in the past. Today we have more possibilities and opportunities, however, back then, woman can could only stay at home and take care of their families.
Mende: I got it, but usually when people are asked the time machine question, the answers are often about going far into the past or far into the future.
Iris: I have chatted with my colleagues before, and most of their answers were back to college as well. Perhaps because of a different meaning in Chinese, we all tend to think of our personal lifetime first. Most people miss their simple, happy and innocent times -the times when they didn’t have to worry about anything or take on responsibilities.
Mende: Interesting, it’s quite different from what I imagined. As for me, I would be interested in the future too. I would wonder what my life would be like in 2050, when I would be 100 years old since I was born in 1950. I might still be alive, I’m not sure though. With advanced technology, I wonder if lighting design will change much at all. I’m also afraid that if there is an unexpected war, I can’t be overly optimistic. But I’m still very curious.
Iris: But with this advanced technology, do you think it will replace designers like us one day? For example, AI tools or something similar.
Mende: No, I don’t think so. Designers will adapt to new environments and rules, and advanced technology will ultimately provide more convenience.
Iris: Right, it will just make our life more convenient. If you had a time machine, is there a short period in your lifetime that you would like to visit, not a long time ago?
Mende: I always try to enjoy myself and live in the moment, but I also remember some very exciting moments. For instance, when I founded LPA thirty-five years ago, it was a very exciting time. I had just begun designing lighting in my own way, and there weren’t many lighting designers in Japan at that time. I was eager to see what the future would hold.
Iris: I can imagine that it was an exciting time. How about your childhood or youth?
Mende: I enjoyed music when I was in elementary and middle school age; I used to play violin and trumpet before switching to art. I used to play pretty well, but just when my teacher was still praising me and looking forward to my improvement, I decided to stop. However I don’t wish to go back to those days.
Iris: That’s interesting to know! Thank you so much for today.
