Candle Night Summer Solstice 2010 June 19, 2010 “Turn off the lights and take it slow.” This is the campaign slogan for Candle Night, a movement started in 2003 on the summer solstice by an environmental NPO. Nationally, the event is unofficially planned for the summer and winder solstices, and persistence from local groups have turned it into a huge event to enjoy a different kind of evening by candlelight. Candlenight@OMOTESANDO-Eco Avenue Candle Night along Omotesando was held for two hours on June 19th, 2010 from 8pm to 10pm in the evening. The Harajuku / Omotesando Candle Night started on the 2003 winter solstice. This year marks the 10th event along the popular shopping street. The theme for 2010 summer solstice was “Encounters with Candles x LEDs.” In contrast to candles, which have been used for hundreds and hundreds of years, LEDs are the latest gadget in optical technology. This year visitors encountered hybrid installations using both candles and LEDs along the zelkova lined street. For the event, 611 staff members, mostly art university students in the Tokyo precinct, were recruited and collaborated to present a unified, coexistence of warm candlelight and techno LED installations. Candle Installations The theme this year was “Encounters with candle x LED,”so it wasn`t just candle light along the street, but a combination of candles and LEDs for a variety of installations. Installations included, stacked wine glasses with candles inside and softly emitted blue LED…

Interviewer: Ito Yuki ITO：Today I`d like to discuss the “appeal of dark spaces. ”Dark space is a pretty rough idea.  However, I imagine not totally pitch, black spaces, but dark spaces with a softly lit lamp, a level of darkness to feel comfortable and relaxed.  Do you have any lasting impressions or experiences with dark spaces?! MENDE：Memorable dark spaces…hmm…I have so many. It is hard to choose.  The level of darkness at a hotel I stayed at in Phuket left a very lasting impression.  As a hotel, the level of darkness was unthinkable.  I couldn’t even read the menu in the hotel restaurant.   However, the interesting thing is, at first, the darkness felt very inconvenient.  But as my eyes started to adapt, I gradually got used to the darkness.  If I wanted to do some work in this space, it would probably be harmful.  But if one is not reading or writing, I felt it was a very comfortable space and level of brightness.  ITO：The fixtures I use in my home have a function to change the level of brightness and color temperature.  I usually set the color temperature and brightness at the lowest setting, creating a very dim room.  So, I really understand the feeling of relaxation in a dark space.   MENDE： Isn’t such a dark room inconvenient for everyday living?! ITO：If I want to do some work, yes it is inconvenient.  So when I set the lighting low, I…

The streets of Moscow are mostly buried in shadows except for a few groups of lucent buildings, maybe an expression of authority. During the intense commercial time bawdy lights are lost, along with street activity, and stillness returns to the city. Now, towering lights dot the cold winter landscape. Looking towards Moskva University at dusk. The Bolshoi Theatre rebuilt in 1856. The upper lights set off the detail of this Greek-style Architecture. Christmas illumination at Tsum Department Store next to Bolshoi Theatre.

Date: September, 2004 Program: City Tour, Symposium Venue: Freie Akademie der Kunste It was the beginnings of autumn in the beautiful port city of Hamburg, where the forum was held this year. The dome-shaped hall, Freie Akademie der Kunste, conveniently location near Central Station, was illuminated by soft light creating a pleasant atmosphere for all present. Hamburg, located in northern Germany, with easy access to and from Scandinavia made it possible for participants from Copenhagen to also join in the fun. The forum, continuing from last year, was again, well attended with about 150 persons registered. This year was also a little different with a pianist performing in between sessions. The theme this year was “Daily Transportation Facilities”, meaning public transportation used everyday to get to and from school and work. The core members from six different countries reported on what kind public transportation was used in their area and the lighting environment of these facilities. Kaoru Mende presented details and pictures of how Tokyoites endure the grinding morning rush day in and day out. Pictures of squeezing more people into an already packed train got a good roar from the crowd. Also, scenes from around main stations, such as Tokyo and Shinjuku, lined with shops and billboards, relayed how stations in Japan are closely tied with commercialism. The white, unified atmosphere created by long 110W fluorescent lights covering many ceiling is definitely a characteristic of Japan. Recently, architects and…

The east end of Taipei is really growing and developing with many modern structures like the Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building, looming over the area. But off the main streets and in the back alleys, life is as usual as old buildings line the side streets of these unique little neighborhoods. The streets are alive with daily activity and residents come and go; a some what nostalgic picture. Looking west from the top of Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building, as the last of the day’s orange light breaks through the space between the buildings. From this view point you can really see how the old part of the city spreads out in the west as the streets get narrower and twist and turn. Jungshan North Road, one of the main thoroughfares of Taipei. Mounted on the streetlights lining the sidewalks are fixtures to illuminate the trees and small LED nodes programmed with different scenes of color lighting. Although the trees are big and imposing, the lighting has helped to create a pleasant pedestrian area. Every night is like a festival at the Shilin Night Market in Taipei. Many of unique smells、wares, and activity to go along with the jimble-jamble of lighting.