swarm dyes washi paper with hues of purple and gold for installation at milan design week

Was There art installation by swarm explores loss and memory

Was There is an art installation that delves into the themes of loss and the ephemeral nature of memory, presented by swarm and Hideyuki Yamazawa at the Milan Design Week 2025. The series of furniture art pieces seeks to highlight the dwindling number of artisans skilled in traditional Japanese crafts such as handmade washi (Japanese paper) and natural plant dye techniques. By integrating these age-old crafts with modern design elements, Yamazawa not only preserves but also evolves these practices, offering them new life and relevance in today’s global context. The pieces merge traditional Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary design, exploring the essence of presence through absence. This intriguing project redefines the boundaries between the seen and the unseen, challenging perceptions of memory and permanence.

all images courtesy of swarm and Hideyuki Yamazawa

was there Blends traditional Japanese craft with modern design

The installation features materials deeply rooted in Japanese culture, including washi dyed with gradients that transition from purple to gold, representing the gradual yet perpetual changes in our lives and memories. The manufacturing process combines traditional dyeing techniques with contemporary fabrication methods to create a space where visitors can experience the intersection of the tactile and the transient. Was There by swarm and creative director Hideyuki Yamazawa invites viewers to reflect on what remains in the space left behind by things that are gone, urging a contemplation of presence in absence, and the potential for renewal in what we perceive as loss. This work is not just an exhibition of design but a philosophical inquiry into the nature of existence and memory.

Was There: an art installation exploring loss and memory

blending traditional Japanese crafts with modern design elements

a tribute to fading artisan skills in Japanese craftsmanship

traditional washi paper meets contemporary fabrication techniques

washi paper dyed with gradients, symbolizing life’s gradual changes

exploring the transient nature of memory and permanence

purple to gold: a visual metaphor for life’s evolving memories

inviting viewers to contemplate the lasting impact of absence

memory and loss captured through intricate washi designs

fusion of tradition and contemporary design in a single installation

a visual dialogue between impermanence and renewal

project info:

name: was there

designer: swarm
creative director: Hideyuki Yamazawa

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom