fabric corridor by ryo yamada unfolds in edinburgh
Japanese artist Ryo Yamada presents Perception Corridor, a site-specific installation at Scot ART Gallery within St Margaret’s House in Edinburgh, UK. Completed in March 2026, the work transforms the gallery’s narrow footprint into an immersive spatial sequence that explores perception, movement, and environmental awareness. Measuring approximately 40 meters in length, the installation cuts diagonally across the gallery, forming a corridor constructed from suspended fabric panels. The structure responds directly to the proportions of the space, translating distance into a physical and sensory experience.
40m length corridor by non woven 70 fabric | all images courtesy of Ryo Yamada
narrowing geometry alters sense of distance at scot art gallery
The corridor is formed by seventy sheets of non woven fabric, each suspended one meter apart. As visitors walk through, the layered arrangement creates a shifting sense of depth, while the corridor gradually narrows from two meters at the entrance to just sixty centimeters at the end, extending the perceived length of the journey.
Each fabric panel is lightly weighted with a sewn yellow yarn along its base, allowing it to respond subtly to air movement. The material reflects light softly and moves with minimal airflow, reinforcing the installation’s ephemeral and atmospheric quality.
a mirror board inscribed with words that describe environmental change is installed at the end of the corridor
immersive artwork references climate change data
At the end of the corridor, a mirrored panel invites visitors to confront their own reflection as they approach. Inscribed with phrases referencing environmental change, the surface connects the physical journey through the installation to global climate realities.
The 40 meter length of the corridor reflects measurable environmental phenomena. This is the approximate distance a glacier can recede in a single day, while within 40 seconds, nearly one million tons of ice are lost worldwide. These references position the installation as both a spatial and temporal reflection on climate change.
moving towards the end point of the installation
perception corridor links bodily movement to global systems
Through the act of walking, Perception Corridor translates abstract environmental data into a personal, embodied experience. The installation connects the passage of time and movement through space with the scale and urgency of ecological change. By working with lightweight materials, minimal structure, and precise spatial control, Yamada creates a quiet yet impactful environment. The project invites visitors to reconsider how environmental transformation can be perceived, not only through data, but through direct sensory engagement within an ephemeral architectural space.
40m nonwoven fabrics sways slightest breeze
perception corridor’s width varies from 2m to 0.6m
the fabric reflects different colour depending on the time of day
a walk from beginning to end takes approximately 40 seconds
the exhibition space has a unique shape with 40m depth, 7m width, and 2.7m height
the mirror inscribed with climate change words
the installation reflect lights and swings with every slight breeze
yarn weaving is added at the bottom of the panels for weight
project info:
name: Perception Corridor / 40 metres and 40 seconds
artist: Ryo Yamada
location: Scot At Gallery, Edinburgh
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: claire brodka | designboom
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