In 1951, the Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi created the Akari Light Sculptures, a collection of completely unique handcrafted lighting fixtures. Published by Vitra, these paper sculptures are part of the designer's already diverse oeuvre, which ranges from furniture to the design of spaces of all kinds.
In addition to material and form, Noguchi's sculptural style takes into account the harmony produced by each piece and the space it occupies, and this has had a lasting influence on design since the 1950s.
The Vitra Akari lamps - a Japanese term meaning clarity or light - evoke a certain feeling of lightness and delicacy, just like the handmade paper parasols or lanterns that inspired their design.
Each of the lights including Akari 1AG is handmade: the lamp's framework is obtained by stretching bamboo rods, wrapped in thin strips of washi paper glued to the structure. The body of the floor lamps and table lamps rests on an elegant painted steel base.
Vitra was founded in 1950 by Willi Fehlbaum and Erika Fehlbaum. The design furniture company Vitra is located near Basel, in Switzerland. Starting in 1981, the brand Vitra expanded and opened many subsidiaries around the world. The founders spotted the Eames chairs, including the Eames armchairs, the Vitra tables and the office chairs created by Charles and Ray Eames, Antonio Citterio or also the Bouroullec brothers.