One Counter Gadget represents the brightness of human life. When the displayed number counts from 1 to 9, it represents the “life”, and when it does not appear, which means zero, the darkness signifies the death”. This constant repeat of “life” and “death” originates from Buddhism philosophy. By enclosing 70 Counter Gadgets in the ice tunnel designed by Tadao Ando, I would like to regard this collaboration work as “time tunnel of the life”. Through this work, I expect the visitors to feel the continuous life chain from time immemorial and think of the dignity of life.

-Tatsuo Miyajima

Using ice, an ephemeral and formless material, I tried to create a minimal
and purified form, with a motif of continuous curved line.

What emerged in the geometrical space of ice is a <sequence> of light and air.

The abstract concept, <sequence>, also responds to Tatsuo Miyajima’s artwork,
whose theme is <time>: from past to present and from present to future.

The collaboration, <ICED TIME TUNNEL> has been completed by combining
a <sequence> of my architecture and <time and space> in Miyajima’s work.

– Tadao Ando