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When you walk down Keyakizaka in Roppongi Hills, you will notice a quietly standing transparent chair in front of the new TV Asahi building. This is the “Chair That Disappears in the Rain,” created by designer Tokujin Yoshioka in 2003. This chair, about one meter high, 98 centimeters wide, and 75 centimeters deep, is made of special optical glass and, reflecting the surrounding scenery, appears as if it has become part of the air itself. (tokujin.com)
On sunny days, the surface of the chair shines as it catches the light, drawing the eyes of passersby. However, on rainy days, its presence changes dramatically. Raindrops run down the surface of the chair, blending it with the surrounding scenery, making it look as if the chair has disappeared into the rain. This phenomenon is created by the fusion of the undulating patterns on the glass surface and the raindrops. (asahi-mullion.com)
This chair was installed as part of the streetscape project accompanying the opening of Roppongi Hills. Yoshioka aimed for a design that would blend into the cityscape, making use of the transparency and presence of glass as a material. He has said, “It is only when the thoughts of the person sitting are added that the work is completed,” and by actually sitting down, a dialogue between the work and the person is created. (asahi-mullion.com)
Keyakizaka, where this chair is installed, is a walkway connecting Roppongi Hills and TV Asahi, lined with many art pieces and shops. Amid the bustle of the city, this transparent chair quietly exists, offering visitors a moment of peace and surprise. If you visit this place on a rainy day and witness the chair merging with the rain, you will surely notice the extraordinary beauty hidden within the everyday.