This Limited-Edition Museum-Worthy Chess Set Represents The Symbolic Battle Of Light & Darkness

Bangkok-based artist Taras Yoom presents “Another Kingdom: Dichotomy,” a limited-edition chess set exploring the eternal battle between light and darkness within the human soul and the world. Unveiled at PAD Paris from April 2–6, this piece seamlessly merges art and design with a blend of innovative and artisanal methods.

Part of the Yoomoota universe’s ongoing chess series, it symbolizes an allegorical conflict between opposing kingdoms. Each of the 21 handcrafted sets is a masterpiece, utilizing techniques like detailed 3D printing, molding, sculpting, and acrylic paint detailing. Embedded with NFC chips, these sets ensure authenticity and traceability, crafted from materials like acrylic, metals, and silicone.

Designer: Taras Yoom

The set is designed in the classic yet serene black and white tones, referencing traditional chess while offering a deep conceptual reinterpretation rooted in the Yoomoota universe. This artistic choice reflects the timeless duality inherent in the game. According to the artist, an imagined cosmic event—a powerful eclipse caused by the wandering Star of Dichotomy—has drained all color from the world.

This dramatic transformation divides the realm into stark binaries – light and dark, certainty and doubt, order and chaos. This narrative enriches the visual experience and also invites players and observers to contemplate the deeper philosophical themes of balance and opposition that are central to both the game and life itself.

The previous set in the series, “Another Kingdom: Light Stage,” now a part of the Red Dot Design Museum, embodied a serene moment of harmony and mutual exchange between two kingdoms. It showcased a peaceful coexistence and a delicate balance, capturing the essence of unity amidst diversity. In stark contrast, the latest set, “Dichotomy,” portrays a world ensnared in opposition, where the forces of light and darkness are always at odds.

This set illustrates a landscape where struggle is unending, and resolution remains elusive, reflecting the perpetual conflict and tension that defines its universe. Through its intricate design and symbolic elements, “Dichotomy” invites viewers to ponder the complexities of a world where harmony is a distant memory and the clash between opposing forces is an ever-present reality.

In “Another Kingdom: Dichotomy,” chess set, Taras Yoom masterfully captures the eternal conflict of light and darkness. It features an intricate design and symbolic elements, which allow the players to reflect on life’s dualities, providing a unique artistic and philosophical experience that transcends the traditional boundaries of the game.

“Here, the game is not merely a matter of strategy but a complex ethical conflict. There is no room for hesitation or shades of gray—only pure opposition. Chess invites players to confront the ethical dilemmas inherent in their choices. Every move, every decision, every turn is now dictated by an immutable law: light or darkness—nothing in between,” Taras Yoom explains.

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