Downtown Exhibition
The "Downtown Exhibition" utilizes Yokohama's historical buildings and other locations to light up the area using their own lighting technology.
MAGCUL.NET interviewed Yamatomo Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Crown Bee Ltd., who will be exhibiting in the atrium on the first floor of KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre.
Q1) What kind of companies are Yamatomo Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Crown Bee Ltd.?
Yamatomo Kogyo: Our company has been manufacturing large equipment and other communication devices used by electric power companies throughout Japan for 50 years, and has been involved in infrastructure development. In the process, we started using LEDs, which eventually led us to manufacture the stage lighting used this time.
Crown Bee: A company that handles most of the processes from balloon design to production, setup and removal.
Q2) Please tell us about the works you will be exhibiting this time.
-You used silkworms as a motif. Why did you choose this motif as the key of this work? Also, please tell us about any technical aspects you devised or struggled with.
Yamatomo Kogyo: We left the selection of the motif entirely up to Crown B. As the shape is complex and it is a symbol of the origins of this building and Yokohama, we were careful to avoid using vulgar lighting. We hope that those who see it will enjoy the striking impression that comes from its large size and the graceful expression that the light shows.
Crown Bee: First of all, when I was shown around the KAAT building, the building itself was reminiscent of a cocoon, and tiles and Ramune bottles were excavated, and since it is also a trading port, this image was created. Technically speaking, the LED will be placed inside the balloon, so we devised the internal structure so that the light can reach the outer shell.
Q3) As a company, is there anything you keep in mind when submitting "works" like this?
Yamatomo Kogyo: As we are an equipment manufacturer, we do not exhibit our own "works", but we create our products with the aim of helping artists and users realize their images as much as possible. This is the first time we have teamed up like this. Previously, when Crown Bee purchased our lighting equipment, they actually showed us how to use it. The impact of the balloons at that time was very memorable, so when we participated in Smart Illumination this time, we contacted them in the hope that we could work together. Our company has rarely been involved in events or exhibits like this, so we are very honored to be able to work together on the production of such a work.
Crown Bee: We hope that many people, from small children to the elderly, will watch and enjoy it.
Q4) Please say a few words to everyone coming to Smart Illumination.
Yamatomo Kogyo: In recent years, LEDs have become more common in ordinary homes, and I think they have a strong image of energy conservation and saving electricity bills. However, I hope you will learn that they are also sometimes used to entertain people like this. Please enjoy the unusual night view of Yokohama.
Crown Bee: Please enjoy the various lighting effects to your heart's content.
