3daysofdesign 2026 – Porcelain in the Nordic Summer Light

In June 2026, JAPAN FORM participated in 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen, presenting the porcelain lighting collection of Hirotaka Tobimatsu.

As part of the Openhouse Magazine curated exhibition at The Conary, we were honoured to exhibit alongside some of Europe’s leading design brands. The presentation also marked Tobimatsu’s first visit to Europe and his first exhibition on the continent.

Since introducing Tobimatsu Lighting to Europe in 2024, one of our ambitions had been to present the work within an architectural setting where daylight itself could become part of the experience. The atrium at The Conary provided exactly such an opportunity.

Within the atrium, a warm glow emerged softly from inside the porcelain shades, while daylight from above illuminated their white surfaces. Throughout the exhibition, Copenhagen’s ever-changing summer sky became an active participant in the installation. Fast-moving clouds continuously altered the intensity and character of the daylight, creating a dramatic and constantly evolving atmosphere.

Unlike glass, which is transparent, or metal, which primarily reflects light, porcelain possesses a unique ability to receive, diffuse and transmit light through the material itself. The relationship between the light within and the daylight outside was constantly shifting, revealing new expressions throughout the day.

This dialogue between interior light and natural light is something only porcelain can achieve in quite this way. As the sky above Copenhagen changed, so too did the character of the installation. No two moments were ever exactly the same.

For us, the exhibition became more than a presentation of lighting objects. It was a demonstration of how porcelain can shape the experience of space through light.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who visited the exhibition and to all those who helped make this experience possible.