Couleurs de L’ombre, which translate into Colours of Shadow, is a project initiated by prolific Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. For some ten years, Sugimoto would capture the different effects of light passing through a clear crystal prism with his Polaroid camera every morning. It was said that the effects were like ‘a world of colours, projected like shadows on the white walls of the studio’.
The work is inspired by the scientific experiments of Newton and Goethe, researching the origins of colour – that is, breaking down and capturing light, and analysing its emotional impact on humans. This concrete phenomenon has been materialised and elevated by Sugimoto in his abstract images.
Working with Pierre-Alexis Dumas (the artistic director of Hermès), Hiroshi Sugimoto has selected 20 Polaroid images to be edited and transformed into giant silk scarves by Hermès (measuring 140cm by 140cm). Only seven scarves are produced for each image.
From now till 2 March 2013, the work for Couleurs de L’ombre by Hiroshi Sugimoto is being presented as part of the Hermès Editeur exhibition at Singapore Tyler Print Institute (41 Robertson Quay, Singapore). The limited edition silk scarves are available exclusively at www.hermes-editeur.com.
