In Praise of Shadows

In Praise of Shadows, inspired by the Japanese author Jun'ichirō Tanizaki’s essay from 1933, investigates the way in which the simple practice of illuminating our homes profoundly shapes our human experience. To light a room is not merely the act of toggling an electrical switch or drawing a curtain. A diverse range of textures, materials and surfaces allow for a myriad of articulations and utterances of light.  As if exquisitely choreographed, a flickering candle elegantly dances upon the smooth, glossy finish of black lacquerware or the sinuous threads of an embroidered silk wallcovering. Through an artful practice of revealing and concealing, the room contains bold declarations and tacit secrets.

Artists and designers thoughtfully responded to Tanizaki’s text through conceptual and technical expressions in lighting, sculpture, textiles, furniture and objects. Utilizing a variety of materials – metal, rice and washi paper, enamel, bamboo, lacquer, ceramic, raffia, animal hide, automobile paint – each work demonstrates an acute sensitivity to the nuanced enunciations of light and shadow.