KALAIDO | In Praise of Shadows

In Praise of Shadows was the most ambitious visual project to date with longtime musical collaborator Kalaido. Inspired by Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s 1933 essay of the same name, this body of work reflects the album’s central themes: subtlety, imperfection, and the quiet beauty of the past.

The visuals drew from Super 8 footage captured during a trip to Japan, unfolding across full vinyl gatefold and cassette packaging, four illustrated singles, and three animated pieces. Each artwork was designed to echo the tone of the music—layered, cinematic, and textured with just a touch of mystery.

Blending live instrumentation with analog techniques, the album honors vintage influences—jazz harp, Italian film scores, and 1970s Japanese jazz—through a modern, handcrafted lens. The illustrations were created to mirror that same balance of old and new, light and shadow, movement and stillness.

client: Kalaido