A luminous building rises up
from the streets of Ginza

Whenever I make my way from Yurakucho Station to Ginza Maison Hermès, I feel a thrill when I lay eyes on this extraordinary building of glass blocks—the show begins even before you set foot inside. It is a tall building, but the lack of hard steel, stone, or brick gives it a sense of transparency and weightlessness. Natural light streams in through the glass blocks even as the building radiates its own light outward. The building even sometimes serves as a canvas for artists. There is truly no other building like it. I love that it was clearly built around principles of urban planning that prioritize not only the activities conducted inside the building but also its effect on the city around it.

Shadows compose
complex patterns on a carpet

On the basement level, in a sofa-filled seating area on the men’s floor, my eye is caught by shadows on an oval carpet with grey edges that gradually brighten to a brilliant yellow at the centre. Sitting on the carpet is a low table, illuminated by spotlights so it casts dark shadows that layer atop one another to compose a pattern on the carpet. As I watch the play of light in this area, I feel as if I am witnessing something rich and beautiful.

A mirage-like landscape
reflected in a showcase

On the leather goods floor, I see the reflection of a grid of glass blocks in an oval glass case, warped by the curved surface into an interesting work of abstract art. Whenever I wander aimlessly around the store, I know I will encounter surprises such as this.

Where connections are born
between art and the outside world

My exhibition in the 8th-floor art gallery, Le Forum, is something I will never forget. I had one shot at painting, on site, a colourful mural of a square and circle on a white wall. Outside light diffused through the two-story-tall wall of glass blocks right beside the mural, illuminating the painting and subtly altering the tones of the pale pinks and yellows depending on the weather, time of day, and viewing angle. On a sunny, breezy day, Susumu Shingu’s stainless steel sculpture hanging outside would catch the wind, reflecting patches of glittering sunlight through the glass blocks and onto the floor in front of the artworks. It was a spectacular sight. A space that can bring together art and the outside world in this way is truly special.