a+u Special Feature - Architectural Spaces With Washi II - Erico Horika

In a 160 year old luxury restaurant in Kyoto, the introduction of Eriko Horiki’s washi art turned a neglected entryway into a magnetic space where customers gathered and socialized. This is one example of how Horiki’s work with Japanese washi paper attracts people in different settings ranging from theaters, museums, and hotels. Eriko Horiki’s second special issue features the washi artist’s work since 2007. Thirty years since establishing her company in 1987, her work continues to develop without falling into a stereotypical style. Horiki attributes her original work to two main factors, the challenging specifics of each project and the element of uncertainty that is inherent in a hand made product. Overcoming difficult problems leads to the mastery of new techniques, leading to new innovations. One example is the difference between the surface layer being front lighted and all the layers visible when backlit. She believes the best results come from 30% human design and 70% spontaneous effects; which allows the unexpected to happen that far surpasses human skill and ideas. The result is that Horiki’s washi art seems both modern and traditional at the same time, while continuing to evolve into new forms. Text in English and Japanese.