
Mirage Cube began with the paradox that light can pass through matter while simultaneously obstructing vision. Water should be transparent, yet at certain angles it reflects space like a mirror. Light bounces and refracts within, betraying the expected path of the gaze. From this contradiction emerged the concept of “transparent yet non see through.” To expand this optical effect into space, a special acrylic cube capable of holding water was developed. Interference between the water inside and the external light causes images to collapse with slight shifts of angle, generating iridescent reflections. Despite its transparency, the cube undeniably blocks space. Within the work, the boundary between transparency and opacity never settles. As light passes through the structure, the focal point slips, and depth becomes ambiguous. The space begins to drift from matter toward phenomenon. MIRAGE CUBE represents an early foundation of Nishi’s optical investigation—an experiment that treats light not as material, but as event, and reconsiders the very act of seeing.





Award
2016 Category of NEXTAGE Prize, JID AWARD 2016. (JPN)
2015 Grand Prize Graduation work Winner, Tama Art University, Department of Environmental Design. (JPN)
Technical Data
Type: Research-based Installation
Exhibition: Graduation Exhibition
Material: acrylic, water
Size: H 2100 × W 2340 × D 2340 mm (1249 units)
1 cube: H 100 × W 100 × D 100 mm
Half cube: H 100 × W 50 × D 100 mm
Credits
Technical Instruction: Tadahiro Takahashi (A - works)
Shooting: Takatoku Nishi
Video Editing: Takatoku Nishi