Muted is not a word in designer and architect Emmanuelle Moureaux’s vocabulary. Known for her colorful installations of text that trail from the ceiling, the immersive environments surround visitors in an array of rainbow hues. Numbers and letterforms take on an abstract quality as they dangle en masse around carefully constructed pathways.
Universe of Words premiered in Tokyo right before Tanabata day—a festival celebrated on July 7 that encourages people to write their hopes and dreams on colored strips of paper and hang them on the branches of a decorated bamboo tree. Moureaux was inspired by this tradition and put her own spin on it.
Universe of Words is part of Moureaux’s ongoing 100 Colors series, and the installation fits perfectly within her overall intentions for it. “I want people to breathe and immerse in 100 shades of colors, to see colors, touch colors, and feel colors with all their senses,” she tells My Modern Met. “I want people to feel color with their entire body.”
The colors and layers I feel in Tokyo were the inspiration to my design concept of “shikiri,” which means dividing (creating) space with colors (“shikiri” is a made-up word that literally means “to divide space using colors”). “I use colors as three-dimensional elements, like layers, in order to create spaces, not as a finishing touch applied to surfaces.”
“Multicolor” is my favorite color. Using a multicolor palette is essential for me in order to feel the depth, rhythm, and of course emotions. The colors I use are inspired by the bright colors I see in the cityscape of Tokyo. Vivid colors can make people smile, give energy, joy, and most importantly they make people happy.
Analysis:
Emmanuelle Moureaux’s created an impressive art installation finding inspiration from Tokyo to create Universe of Words. The colorful special installation provokes joy in others. A community-driven installation piece inspired by the Upper Arlington community would be a means for social engagement and connectedness amongst all demographics.
Shovava, et al. “Interview: Colorful Installation Made of JAPANESE Symbols Lets You Walk through a Universe of Words.” My Modern Met, 29 Oct. 2019, mymodernmet.com/emmanuelle-moureaux-universe-of-color-installation/.
