Akari 26A/21A/15A Ceiling Light by Vitra

In 1951, Isamu Noguchi started to design the Akari Light Sculptures, a total of over 100 hand-made Shoji-paper models for lights, standard lamps or ceiling luminaires. The Japanese word "Akari" means brightness and light, but also lightness. Vitra Design Museum Collection.

"The light of Akari is like the light of the sun filtered through the paper of shoji. The harshness of electricity is thus transformed through the magic of paper back to the light of our origin - the sun. So that ist warmth may continue to fill our rooms at night." (Isamu Noguchi)

Lampshade: shoji paper, partly painted. Individual ends of wood/bamboo. Structure: bamboo/steel wire. Feet: painted steel wire.

Dimensions: Akari 26A: H 250 x W 450 x D 450mm; Akari 21A: H 280 x W 650 x D 650mm; Akari 15A: H 330 x W 880 x D 880mm