PIM VAN NUNEN

tokyo windo | 2025 |

This body of work is directly inspired by the frosted windows of Tokyo’s narrow streets and back lanes. Intriguing little portals transporting us from the public world to private quarters. The organised chaos around the narrow facades continues inside. But we are only allowed a glimpse of what life lies behind the frosted windows. The blurring silhouettes of seemingly random objects stacked behind their delicate veils, obscuring one’s view, to only allude to who they belong.

They almost have the seductive power of lace, revealing a glimpse of that which is 

permitted to view, blurring that which is intended to remain a mystery. These windows are the alluring sirens of Meguro, Daikanyama, Ueno, Roppongi and Ginza. They provoke us to stop and admire without revealing their face, little entries into their soul. Teasing us with contours and profiles of belongings that might, or might not, be precious and 

meaningful, little hints to keep us intrigued.

This ‘Tokyo Windo’ series explores the unassuming, accidental and effortless wabi sabi quality in the compositions and arrangements of these mysterious portals. Every single Japanese household seems to have mastered the balance between chaos and order. The colour palettes appear to be carefully handpicked but charmingly clash at the 

same time. Imperfection to perfection.

Although the portals will never tell us the full story, they always give just enough 

information for us to imagine our own version of the narrative.