Akiko

Biography

Akiko Yamashita is a Los Angeles-based, Japanese artist. She is known for immersive installations using light, projection mapping, and real-time 3D animation to transform our perception with her prism-inspired full spectrum of colors. As an artist, she visualizes “invisible existences” in nature. Her work references and is drawn from Japanese animism, where every existence has a spirit or soul.

 

A former dancer turned animator, Yamashita welcomes viewers to fully immerse themselves within her artworks. Hana Fubuki (2019), exhibited at ARTECHOUSE, translates viewers’ hand movements into gusts of wind that swirl colorful cherry blossom blizzards. Forest Perception (2021) surrounds viewers in a giant forest canopy and roots projected on opposing sides of the building. Eureka! (2021) lets viewers stimulate neurons with gestures. Where does water come from? (2020) illustrates the cycle of water from atomic to ocean state.

 

Featured as one of the new generation of makers in an Apple keynote film presented by Tim Cook, Yamashita also creates architectural public art light installations, including her interactive hallway Portal (2015) in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles, which won the A’Design Silver Award.

Exhibitions

2023

IGNITE Art & Light Festival, Fort Lauderdale, USA

 

2022

LUMINEX, Los Angeles, USA

LIFE OF A NEURON, ARTECHOUSE NYCNew York, USA

JUMPSTARTER 2022, K11 Musea, Hong Kong, China


2021

LIFE OF A NEURON, ARTECHOUSE DC, Washington, D.C. USA

LUMINEX, Los Angeles, USA


2020

MUTEK.JP+MX, MUTEK JP+MX Virtual Gallery, Tokyo, Japan and Mexico City, Mexico


2019

IN PEAK BLOOM, ARTECHOUSE, Washington, D.C., USA


2018

FUTRA presents KINETIC, Jason Bass Gallery, Los Angeles, USA


2017

B&O Play Presents Maison Futuro CHAPTER ONE, Theater at Ace Hotel DTLA, Los Angeles, USA

Kaleidoscope 5, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, 3Labs, Culver City, USA


2016

Resolution, Jai & Jai Gallery, Los Angeles, USA

 

2015

ForumFest 2015: Bridge. Tunnel. Channel, Sixth Street Bridge tunnel, Los Angeles, USA

FUTRA presents SURREALISM, Lot 613, Los Angeles, USA

One-Night Stand LA, Holiday Lodge Motel, Los Angeles, USA


2014

BYOB “Bring Your Own Beamer”, Werkartz, Los Angeles, USA

Collections

Portal, Commissioned by Weller Court, Los Angeles, USA, 2015

 

 

Awards

2022

Certificate of Recognition, City of Los Angeles, Full Spectrum

The blooloop Innovation Awards, Immersive Experience, Ray-Ban Stories Coachella

Muse Awards, Experiential & Immersive – Interactive Outdoor Event, Platinum, The Picky Claw

Grand Ex 2022, The Best Campaign of the Year, RiotX Arcane

 

2021

Certificate of Commendation, City of Los Angeles, Forest Perception

Cresta Awards, Painted by Everyone

The 2021 Ex Awards, Best COVID-era Campaign, GOLD WINNER, Red Rocks Unpaused

ADC Awards, Interactive, Bronze Cube, Foot Locker / For The Love

The Webby Awards, People’s Voice Winner, Foot Locker / For The Love

FWA Awards, FOTD, White Claw Winter Games

Adweek Experiential, Best Use of Delivery & Merchandise, White Claw Winter Games

Adweek Experiential, Best Use of Video, Delta LA28

 

2020

ADC Awards, Interactive, Painted by Everyone

Adweek Experiential, Best Use of Music / Audio, Red Rocks Unpaused

FWA Awards, FOTD, DoorDash Mosaic

 

2018

FWA Awards, FOTD, Telestron

FWA Awards, FOTD, Infiniti QX50 – Born in Japan

A’ Design Award, Silver, Portal

 

Judging

2023 

A’ Design Award, Judge

TITAN Brand Awards, Judge

The MUSE Creative Awards, Judge

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