Shining a Light

Gabriel Tan presented a poetic conversation between light, material, and space through his collaboration with Japanese washi artist Gen Taniguchi at Molteni&C's Lisbon flagship store. The installation explored the concept "Light as a feather, as it flows, as it follows, as it forms", featuring three distinct lighting collections by Gabriel: Flag, Obelisk, and Carnation, each crafted with handmade washi paper from Nao Washi, a 300-year-old family-run mill from Saga, Japan.

Gen Taniguchi's Kago sculptural series, created from raw Kaiji tree bark from mulberry tress cultivated by his ancestors and still looked after by his family today, complemented the washi lighting. The exhibition demonstrated Gabriel's mastery of scenography, transforming Molteni&C's glossy interiors with its linear and angular furniture forms into a warm, immersive environment that revealed the delicate relationship between contemporary design and traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

The installation created a thoughtful dialogue between the refined minimalism of Gabriel's lighting designs and the textured authenticity of Gen's washi sculptures, highlighting how light and sculptures can transform the perception of everyday moments.

Molteni&C Flagship Store, Lisbon | 28 May - 1 June 2025