Zoom on the HAKUTEN light installation [Prism], winner of a MasterPrize in Architecture | New

The art installation of light and air [Prism] by Japanese studio HAKUTEN was recently named one of the “Best of the Best” winners of the 2021 Architecture MasterPrize.

Located at a former Kanagawa Prefecture military facility called Sarushima, the facility refracts light in a colorful array to create a map of the island’s coastal outline using its existing network of weapon batteries as nodes that connect each ray of light in a dazzling display intended to evoke memories of its past historical uses.

Visitors could immerse themselves in the light-saturated sand while admiring the view of the nearby town of Yokosuka while reflecting on the physical space and temporal nature of the site.

According to the architects: “This work does not seek to glorify war. HAKUTEN simply believes that it is important to preserve memories of the past through various expressions of art and design that prevent them from being forgotten, ”adding that they wish to“ spread this work to the world as an expression that beautifully reminds us of memories born from a negative legacy.

The installation will be dismantled and reused next year at an undetermined site. The studio says its “communication designs” align with its mission to “contribute to the creation of an enriched society, enhanced by human sensitivity”.