Next Nature
Created for Hermès Omotesando windows, Winter 2022
Dimensions ‘Next Tree’: 275x145x90 cm
Materials ‘Next Tree’: Hinoki wood, shoji paper, colored paper
Dimensions ‘Next Garden’: 275x146x91 cm
Materials ‘Next Garden’: balsa wood, colored paper
© Nacása & Partners Inc. / Courtesy of Hermès Japon
Special thanks to: Asuka Isohata en Denis Schmitz
Hermès commissioned Studio Mieke Meijer to design two windows for Hermès Omotesando (Tokyo, Japan), based on the year team of 2022: ‘Lightness’.
Through eons, nature has developed systems and structures of unimaginable complexity and beauty. With the advent of mankind, nature’s capacity to adapt to ever-changing circumstances is tested to the limit. The visual and physical lightness of nature can be captured through the language of mathematics. ‘Next Nature’ is a visual exploration of some of nature’s inherent mathematical properties. By 2 simple actions, repeat and scale, structures are created that mimic trees and flowers. The resulting scenery hints towards a future in which the natural and the artificial world converge and become interchangeable.
© Nacása & Partners Inc. / Courtesy of Hermès Japon
The blueprint for ‘Next Tree’ are mathematical pattern known as ‘fractals’. Fractals are built from simple repeated shapes that are reduced in size every time they are repeated. ‘Next tree’ is completely built from cubes, partly covered with traditional Shoji paper to give the tree a wintery look. The origami animals are dressed in Hermès accessories.
© Nacása & Partners Inc. / Courtesy of Hermès Japon
© Nacása & Partners Inc. / Courtesy of Hermès Japon
© Nacása & Partners Inc. / Courtesy of Hermès Japon
In ‘Next Garden’ both repetition and rotation play an important role. ‘Flowers’ constructed from thousands of thin pieces of natural balsawood form an ultralight landscape that is enlivened by the vibrant colors of Hermès goods.
© Nacása & Partners Inc. / Courtesy of Hermès Japon