
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 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
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