Dezeen Magazine

Hanging sticks create illusions of chairs at Issey Miyake boutique in Tokyo

Japanese architect Yoichi Yamamoto has suspended colourful strips of wood from the ceiling of an Issey Miyake boutique in Tokyo, which from certain angles look like five solid chairs (+ slideshow).

Issey Miyake window installation by Yoichi Yamamoto Architects

Yoichi Yamamoto designed the installation for the window of Issey Miyake's Ginza boutique Elttob Tep.

Issey Miyake window installation by Yoichi Yamamoto Architects

Like Yamamoto's previous installation for the store, which involved creating the illusion of chair legs by painting them on the ground, the project uses perspective to trick the eye.

Issey Miyake window installation by Yoichi Yamamoto Architects

"I was interested in the philosophy of Issey Miyake who designs dresses with a dimensional method and I wanted it to have some relevance to my previous work 2D/3D chairs," Yamamoto told Dezeen. "Random pieces which are only vertical and horizontal have abstract beauty."

Issey Miyake window installation by Yoichi Yamamoto Architects

Yamamoto used Japanese cypress wood for the installation, for its "light weight and precision", painting the pieces in bright colours to coordinate with the boutique's clothing and accessories.

Issey Miyake window installation by Yoichi Yamamoto Architects

The sections of wood were hung in place using a combination of stainless steel wire and monofilament – more commonly known as fishing wire.

Issey Miyake window installation by Yoichi Yamamoto Architects

Vertical strips form the legs and backrests of the chairs, while horizontal pieces create seats that have been used to display a collection of coloured and metallic bags.

Issey Miyake window installation by Yoichi Yamamoto Architects

The installation will feature in-store until the end of June.

Issey Miyake window installation by Yoichi Yamamoto Architects

Issey Miyake has collaborated with numerous architects and designers for past shop installations, which include a series of interlocking coloured sticks by Emmanuelle Moureaux and a display of 2D shapes by Tokujin Yoshioka that fold into structured dresses.

Photography is by Yoichi Yamamoto.

Issey Miyake window installation by Yoichi Yamamoto Architects
Shop floor plan showing perspective from the street - click for larger image
Issey Miyake window installation by Yoichi Yamamoto Architects
Section - click for larger image