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
Take Time to Make Time, Montalvo Arts Center, San Jose, USA.
IGNITE Art & Light Festival, Fort Lauderdale, USA.
2022
LUMINEX, Los Angeles, USA.
LIFE OF A NEURON, ARTECHOUSE NYC, New 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
Hikari 10, Commissioned by West Edge, Los Angeles, USA, 2023.
Portal, Commissioned by Weller Court, Los Angeles, USA, 2015.
Awards
2023
MUSE Awards, Experiential & Immersive – Exhibition Experience, Platinum, “Forest Perception” at LUMINEX 2021.
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.