Dezeen Magazine

Nendo bottles 20 "different kinds of rain" for Words installation

Maison&Objet 2014: Japanese studio Nendo created 20 clear acrylic bottles to represent different Japanese words for rain in an exhibition at the Maison&Objet trade fair in Paris.

Rain installation by Nendo at Maison&Objet 2014

Nendo's designers made the collection of objects for an exhibition with the theme Words, so selected a unit of language in English that has several alternatives in their native tongue.

Rain installation by Nendo at Maison&Objet 2014

"We chose the word 'rain', but considered its many nuances in Japanese – a language that has dozens of words for rain depending on the condition and time of day – as a way to reflect the fine nuances and sensibilities of Japanese as a language," said the studio.

Rain installation by Nendo at Maison&Objet 2014

Each solid Rain Bottle has marks or items suspended in its centre to symbolise the various Japanese words.



Rain installation by Nendo at Maison&Objet 2014

Thick vertical strands symbolise a torrential downpour called "niwaka-ame", while three types of fine drizzle are shown by thinner lines.

Rain installation by Nendo at Maison&Objet 2014

A droplet on the end of a branch depicts the "kisame" type of rain. "Kaiu" is manifested as enlarged dust and pollen particles among bubbles.

Rain installation by Nendo at Maison&Objet 2014

Leaves, grass and subtle colours give the impression of the rains across the seasons and at specific times of the day.

Rain installation by Nendo at Maison&Objet 2014

"By exhibiting 20 different kinds of 'rain', we hoped to express Japanese culture's unique relationship to nature and the depth of this relationship," Nendo said.

Rain installation by Nendo at Maison&Objet 2014

The bottles were displayed in a row as part of the Trend Exhibition in Hall 7 at the biannual Maison&Objet trade fair, which concluded yesterday.

Rain installation by Nendo at Maison&Objet 2014

Photography is by Hiroshi Iwasaki.