Sculpture and influence

—　Were you creative since you were young?

Kazumi :　Definitely, as a child I was always making something, rather than speaking to other people. At my elementary school, the 5th period on a Friday was “playtime” for all students. So, you’d get told off if you just stayed and sat in the classroom. I used to look for a stone which I could scrape off of a brick that supported the basket goal; that was how I played. Sometimes I played football, but other than that I just made things.

—　How did you become interested in sculpture?

Kazumi :　I was never really interested in 2D, and I was attracted to presence of sculptures as an object. I’m especially influenced by Alberto Giacometti’s work I saw at Kanagawa Modern Art Gallery in Kamakura (it is now closed). Until then, I wasn’t very interested in his works since I thought most of them were large in scale. However, the works I saw there were bronze sculptures of human figures smaller than match sticks, presented on a base as thick as A4 paper. I can’t forget how shocked I was when I saw how small artworks could have such large presence.
Also, Alberto Giacometti had a younger brother called Diego, who was a PROFESSIONAL FURNITURE MAKER. He made bronze castings for his brother’s works. Most of his works are bronze, but are more like furniture. I emphasize a lot with his work style, something in-between sculpture and furniture, or daily life and fine art. I really like sculptures, but we don’t get a chance to interact with them very often. No matter how much you produce something, if it doesn’t come across the viewer it feels very lonely. But I saw Diego’s work and became very attracted; it stands between our everyday life and fine art. That is why I started making something that we’re able to use every day.

—　Do you have any other artists you like?

Kazumi :　I like Goro Kakei, an artist my friend told me when I was a student. He is about 80 but his work shows no sign of age. Most of his works are primitive and uses metal, but recently he uses wood and cardboard. I like his recent works more since they have more of a free atmosphere.

—　I guess you like 3D works that can blend into the daily life. If these are categorized as sculptures, couldn’t your bags be sculptures too?

Kazumi :　They might be. I think sculptures are very attractive since they have a very small boundary as to what materials you can use.

—　Lastly, do you have anything you’d like to challenge?

Kazumi :　I’d like to work with stone or casting. The perfect working style for me would be to make bags during spring and summer, and to make stone sculptures during the winter.

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This is the last article of their interview and finally, they will hold a joint exhibition in Berlin from 25, Nov. They will talk about their story in the opening night from 19:00 at 24, Nov. Please visit the exhibition in this opportunity.