The pendant lights in the family provide diffuse ambient light in various rooms. The table lamps act as enchanting islands of light on sideboards or lowboards.
Vitra Akari
"The magic of paper transforms the cool electricity back into the eternal light of the sun.
So that their warmth can continue to fill our rooms at night." Isamu Noguchi, designer of the Akari lights
So that their warmth can continue to fill our rooms at night." Isamu Noguchi, designer of the Akari lights
Vitra Akari - high-quality paper lamps for cosy diffuse lighting
With the Vitra Akari lamps, you can radiate Far Eastern flair in your home. The designer lamps in the Japandi style are inspired by Japanese rice paper lanterns. They are made of translucent Japanese paper (shoji paper), which is attached to a filigree steel frame using bamboo.
The light shines gently through the paper shade and diffuses into the room, creating a cosy atmosphere at home.
The Akari Light Sculptures show what timelessness means: with their mostly organic design language and the thin paper, the Vitra lights look just as charming as they did in 1951, when Isamu Noguchi created the first design.
The designer lamps are created in elaborate handwork. This takes place in the family-run Ozeki manufactory, which is located in the Japanese city of Gifu.
Incidentally, the name of the Vitra lamp family is no coincidence: translated from Japanese, Akari means brightness or light.
Akari floor lamps - decorative room lighting
The Akari light sculptures are particularly effective as floor lamps. With their organic or geometric designs, they become decorative eye-catchers in the room. They attract attention without dominating the furnishings. This is thanks to the thin Japanese paper, which lends the design a certain airiness and lightness.
The light flows diffusely through the paper shade into the surroundings, creating pleasantly harmonious room lighting. You can benefit from this in the living or dining room as well as in the bedroom.
Other Akari Light Sculptures luminaire types
Isamu Noguchi - interdisciplinary and intercultural artist
Isamu Noguchi (born 1904 in Los Angeles, died 1988 in New York) was an important sculptor and designer of the 20th century. He cannot be categorised under any particular movement, as he worked with various artists and turned to different design styles.
Noguchi studied medicine at Columbia University in New York and attended evening classes in sculpture at the Leonardo da Vinci Art School in New York. Soon afterwards, he decided to follow the artistic path completely. He later worked in his own studio and as an assistant to Constantin Brancusi in Paris. The designer also studied brush drawing in China and worked with clay with Jinmatsu Uno in Japan.
His life and work in different cultures is reflected in his extremely versatile designs. Noguchi created sculptures, furniture and lamps, designed public spaces and gardens and worked as a stage designer. He used many different materials - from stainless steel and aluminium to wood, cast iron, marble and paper.
In 1985, he opened the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum in New York. In 1999, eleven years after his death, another museum was opened in Japan.
Frequently asked questions for our lighting experts
Our store manager will be happy to answer frequently asked questions about Vitra Akari lights.
Anja Schuh
How do I clean the shade of an Akari luminaire?
As the shade of a Vitra Akari lamp is made of thin paper, you should be careful when cleaning and caring for it. Always switch off the lamp and disconnect it from the power supply. If it is an Akari pendant lamp, we recommend that you remove the fuse as a precaution.
To remove dust from the sunshade, it is best to use a dry microfibre cloth. Run it gently over the sunshade. This often removes even minor soiling. For heavier soiling that does not disappear without further ado, it is worth using a Replacement lampshade
Are replacement shades available for the Akari lights?
Yes, replacement shades are available for Vitra Akari lamps. So if you already have an Akari lamp, you don't necessarily need a new lamp if you just want to replace the shade.
If required, simply contact our Customer service.Our colleagues will be happy to help you.
