Indigo Waterfall

Inspired by both the past and present industries of Tokushima City, the designer merges and highlights the importance of both industries in its development of the city. Tokushima City was built by the indigo dye industry; big indigo storehouses occupied both waterfronts surrounding Kasuga Bridge where white walls and blue stones were reflected onto the river. Tracing back to its history, the Indigo Waterfall gives new remembrance to the surrounding indigo storehouses by utilizing Tokushima City’s new thriving LED industry and its surrounding natural beauty. By connecting light, nature, local culture and people, the installation creates a new image for Tokushima City.

Indigo Waterfall bridges the past, future, and evolution of industrial development.

Installation Details
Kasuga Bridge is located over Shinmachi River in Tokushima City, Japan. The bridge is 48.6 meters long with a bridge clearance width of 18 meters. The installation is designed with consideration of the safety of passing cars above and boats that pass underneath. To mimic glistening falling water with lighting, the design required extreme consistency with varied treated patterns and length of the each fiber optic. Each side of the bridge is constructed with 32 units of hanging fiber optic lighting. Each unit includes:

• Module of 1.35 meters long
• 90 pieces of hung lighting fibers, ranging between 1.03 to 1.15 meter long
• Natural curve of each fiber istreated and straightened
• Each fiber is treated by hand with 8 different patterns of scratches or scores