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Art Exhibition

Light installation at Gwangju Design Biennale

Silk Cocoon Light Art at Gwangju Design Biennale 2017 

 

 

In 2017, Ango was invited to present a large-scale lighting installation at the prestigious Gwangju Design Biennale in South Korea. The result was a breathtaking series of handcrafted lighting art pieces made from natural silk cocoon, celebrating both material innovation and poetic illumination.

Silk cocoon Light installation sketch by Ango

The Vision Behind Transceiver Space

 

The idea began with Byoong Soo Eun, Chief Curator of Gwangju Design Biennale 2017, who had followed Ango’s journey for over a decade. Inspired by Ango’s ability to refract light through natural materials, he envisioned a sanctuary of light—something ethereal and sensory, yet rooted in nature.

At his open invitation, Ango developed a concept for a circular space composed of five illuminated art environments, each designed as a miniature sanctuary for the mind. These handcrafted structures invited visitors to sit beneath them, surrounded by silk cocoon light diffusers and immersive soundscapes, offering both visual serenity and auditory introspection.

“…a series of shelters you could actually sit under and enjoy, with the silk cocoon element, created as a protection in itself, as the main collaborative element.”

Handmade light installation for Gwangju Biennale

Crafting the Silk Cocoon Light Installation

 

At the heart of the installation was Ango’s signature use of silk cocoon—a natural material that embodies both fragility and strength. Each cocoon, spun thousands of times in a figure-eight motion by the silkworm, represents one of nature’s most beautiful protective forms.

To construct the Transceiver Space, Ango’s artisans assembled five domed lighting structures using steel spaceframes layered with a fine cross-grid of hand-soldered wire filaments—featuring over 12,000 hand-welded points per structure. Around 14,500 silk cocoons were applied to create a glowing canopy for each piece. In total, the project required over 1,500 hours of handcrafted work.

These canopies were brought to life by a series of ambient soundtracks, each referencing the rhythmic movement of the silkworm. The result: a sensorial fusion of light, form, and sound.

Customised lighting for Exhibiting at Gwangju

An Illuminating Achievement in Handcrafted Lighting

 

Transceiver Space stands as a testament to Ango’s philosophy—blending handcrafted lighting techniques, sustainable natural materials, and meaningful design into one-of-a-kind art pieces. This immersive installation marked a milestone in Ango’s journey to push the boundaries of lighting design as a form of contemporary art.

We are deeply grateful to Byoong Soo Eun and the Gwangju Design Biennale team for their vision and support, as well as to the many visitors and media who engaged with the installation.

Under the shade of Ango light installation
Light installation at Gwangju Biennale 2017

Watch the Making of Transceiver Space

 

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating this extraordinary project. See VDO

Chief curator of Gwangu Exhibition
Ango chief designer, Angus Hutcheson

CONTACT

Tel :       +66 (0) 2 874 7505

Fax :      +66 (0) 2 874 7506

Mobile : +66 (0) 89 114 6461

E mail :   contact@angoworld.com

ADDRESS

ANGO Office / Factory

39 Soi Pracha Uthit 16, Ratburana,Bangkok

10140 Thailand

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