Daigo Ishii is re-imagining cities across the globe if they were to look like Tokyo in his 'Worldwide Tokyo-lization Project.'
Ishii overlayed Tokyo's signature bright neon lights and signage onto other cities. The Project re-imaged New York, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, La Paz, Paris and Venice. Each of the original photos are of quiet, empty cityscapes. Ishii then transforms each of these cityscapes with a bombardment of advertisements, kawaii characters and bright colors. Copenhagen's buildings are covered in bright signage and the Eiffel Tower is colored red and white and the lawn is full of cherry blossoms in bloom.
Ishii's project explore what happens when cultures are places into another context and how the host city deals with its identity, whether it maintains its own or if a new one is created for it.
Re-Imagined Cityscape Photos
The "Tokyo-lization Project" Gives Cities a Tokyo-Style Makeover
Trend Themes
1. Neon Reimagining - The trend of reimaging cities with neon lights and bright signage can be an opportunity for companies in the lighting, advertising, and urban planning industries to develop innovative urban design solutions.
2. Cultural Hybridization - The trend of exploring the intersection of cultures and identities through art and urban planning can be an opportunity for companies in the cultural and creative industries to develop new approaches to cross-cultural communication.
3. Urban Identity - The trend of questioning and redefining urban identity through artistic interventions can be an opportunity for companies in the branding, marketing, and architecture industries to develop new strategies for creating meaningful and authentic urban experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising - The reimaging of cities with bright neon lights and colorful signage can create opportunities for companies in the advertising industry to develop new ways to capture the attention of urban audiences.
2. Urban Planning - The trend of urban reimagination can offer opportunities for companies in the urban planning industry to develop new strategies for creating vibrant and visually appealing cities that reflect the unique identities of their residents.
3. Creative - The intersection of art, culture, and urban design can present opportunities for companies in the creative industries to develop innovative solutions that promote cross-cultural understanding and enhance the urban experience for all.