MAD Awards > Innovation > Out of This World

Sky Palace is an art space for “Maro Dori” birds, which are imaginary creations by artist Michiko, age 12. The space and the stories behind the birds nod to the Japanese Heian period, an era known as a cultural renaissance, when Japan had to forge its own identity. The virtual environment features floating bridges that allow users to walk through a sequence of spaces and connect with friends or business partners along the way. The layers of colors follow combinations representing flowers, plants, and animals specific to each season, just like the “twelve-layered robe,” or junihitoe female costume of the era.