At Copenhagen Contemporary, Kengo Kuma and his team have focused on the Japanese concept of komorebi, which captures the unique dance of light and shadow created when sunlight filters through trees. The expansive, site-specific installation “Earth / Tree” embodies this transient phenomenon with a canopy made of suspended wooden slats.
This airy structure, designed with a central opening, hovers over a brick platform and a mound of rubble. These natural materials connect Nordic and Japanese cultures, both of which value craftsmanship and harmony with the environment.
Kuma, who has recently been selected to design the new National Gallery in London, often emphasizes “soft architecture.” This approach integrates the environment and the people interacting with the space. The “Earth / Tree” installation embodies this philosophy at the Danish museum, where it will be displayed until February 21, 2027.
