Look up and delight in a world of varied lights
The “Looking at Architecture” exhibition is held once a year to showcase the architectural beauty of the Teien Art Museum’s main building, completed in 1933 as the residence of Prince Asaka. Each year, the museum chooses a theme that allows visitors to appreciate the architecture from a different perspective. This year’s exhibition focuses on the lighting fixtures that are one of the highlights of the building.
During their stay in Europe in the 1920s, Prince Asaka and Princess Nobuko became enthralled with the beauty of Art Deco. Upon their return to Japan, they incorporated the essence of Art Deco throughout their new residence in Shirokane, constructed using state-of-the-art technology and the finest materials. The French decorative artist Henri Rapin was commissioned to design the decorations in the main rooms, while engineers and artisans from the Construction Bureau of the Imperial Household Ministry managed the overall design, resulting in a fusion of French and Japanese design. The building is now used as an art museum, but has only undergone minor alterations since its completion and has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property due to its well-preserved original features.
The lighting fixtures on the ceilings and walls are particularly impressive features of the rooms in the former residence of Prince Asaka. Many of the lighting fixtures were custom manufactured with carefully chosen materials and detailing, enhancing the residence’s elegance and distinctiveness. This exhibition sheds light on the museum’s architectural beauty through explanations of each room’s lighting fixtures and historical documents, as well as the display of lamps from the same era as the building. Window curtains will be opened to let natural light into the spaces, and visitors can enjoy a recreation of the former residence with furniture and other furnishings from the same period.
We hope visitors will appreciate memorable autumn moments in the soft glow of lights.
