#Japan #Osaka #Osaka Expo #K.L.V #Japan Spatial Design

K.L.V Installation Shines at the 2025 Japan Spatial Design Awards

The 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo concluded on October 14, 2023, welcoming around 400,000 visitors over its six-month duration. As part of this remarkable event, the Shiga Prefecture's exhibit titled K.L.V (Kinetic Light Vision) was awarded the Gold Prize in the entertainment space category at the 2025 Japan Spatial Design Awards. This accolade highlights the significance of the installation just as the Expo wraps up, further drawing attention to its unique attributes.

K.L.V is a mesmerizing cinematic installation that seamlessly combines the innovative light artistry of Takahiro Matsuo, CEO of Lucent Design, with the visionary film direction of Daichi Oka, founder of Drama Makers. This installation features 450 floating orbs of light that resonate with video projections of Shiga's stunning scenery on a curved screen, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in an evocative journey through the theme of water.

Upon entering the exhibit, attendees were enveloped in light and visuals, experiencing a deep and emotional connection to the essence of Shiga. The audience’s enthusiasm was palpable, as spontaneous applause erupted after each screening, and many took to social media to express their awe, with comments like “It felt like traveling over Lake Biwa” and “The visuals seemed to breathe.” This integration of space and image into one cohesive experience is at the heart of the acclaim received by K.L.V.

The captivating exhibit arose from the collaborative vision between Matsuo and Oka, where light and audiovisual content interact to forge an immersive experience. Oka’s role was to craft the visual narratives that represent Shiga's natural beauty, culture, and daily life, all framed around the idea of water. He envisioned leaving visitors with lingering memories and emotions, allowing them to feel the poetic serenity of Lake Biwa, as if the lake were a mirror connecting this world with another.

The production team that worked alongside Oka included lighting designer Shu Asakawa and camera assistants Yuki Sano and Maebashi Nishi, while other local talents like Junkei Yamazaki contributed to capturing the essence and stunning visuals that enhanced the atmospheric depth of the entire installation. The innovative use of RED KOMODO-X cameras within this project also allowed the team to create rich textures and colors, vital for powerful storytelling that resonated with the audience.

Comments from Director Daichi Oka

Oka expressed immense pride in receiving the Gold Prize at the Japan Spatial Design Awards, acknowledging it as a significant milestone in his artistic journey. He remarked, “Collaborating with Matsuo-san on K.L.V expanded my creative horizons. The unique space crafted by Lucent Design worked in harmony with our visuals, offering a profound experience that resonated with all who entered.” He noted how essential it was to convey not just the beauty of Shiga's landscapes but to leave behind emotional impressions that travelers would carry long after their visit.

As K.L.V was recognized not only for its artistry but also for its deep connection with audience experiences, it stands as a testimony to the power of collaboration in the field of spatial design and multimedia art. With the Grand Prize of the KUKAN OF THE YEAR 2025 yet to be announced at the awards ceremony on November 21, anticipation builds for what will come next from this visionary team.

Director Oka, born in 1980 in Kyoto, has had a notable career in film, gaining recognition from his early work and evolving into significant projects that showcase diverse aspects of human experience. His dedication continues as he now leads Drama Makers, furthering the conversation around visual storytelling, artistry, and deeply immersive experiences in a fast-evolving medium.