takasho digitec co. revives semi-ghost town in japan with poetic light installation
‘Yabitsu Light Up Project’ by Takasho Digitec Corporation
The ‘Yabitsu Light Up Project’ is a lighting installation led by the Japanese company Takasho Digitec Corporation, in collaboration with the Kurashicharu Yabitsu Operating Association and Arida City, where the project is being held between August 25 and August 27, 2022. Specifically, the lighting performance is taking place in Arida’s Yabitsu village, known for its suburban charm and unique opening toward the sea.
painting the semi-abandoned character in new ‘tones’
However, over the past 40 years or so, the small town of Yabitsu has been dealing with a steady decrease in its number of inhabitants, leaving behind empty houses and a quieter atmosphere. Wanting to spotlight that sense of loneliness, Takasho Digitec Corporation (see more here) put together a vibrant lighting show that illuminates the empty houses in a color-changing fashion. From green, blue, and orange to a rainbow-like display, the ‘Yabitsu Light Up Project’ painted the small town under a new light while addressing its semi-abandoned state.
‘The beauty of the sea, the naturally formed mountainous landscape, the sunsets, the beautiful night sky, and the lifestyle of the residents are all part of Yabitsu’s charms, while only the empty houses are illuminated to express the loneliness of the current situation of the under-population,’ states the company.
night
Yabitsu’s charm
mountain
people’s lives
project info:
name: Yabitsu Light Up Project
planning, direction, production: Takasho Digitec Co., Ltd.
collaborators: Lifestyle Yabitsu Management Council and Arida City
lead producer: Ryosuke Furusawa
lighting design: Ryo Hanada
writing: Takatoshi Kodo / Orange Co., Ltd.
video shooting: Takuya Yamamoto
photography: Katsuya Kitayama
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom
