Interview: Masaki Hirokawa
Luca Curci talks with Masaki Hirokawa during CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.
Luca Curci talks with Masaki Hirokawa during CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.
ITSLIQUID Group has published an interview I received during the CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022 exhibition in Venice, Italy. I am grateful for each gift I have been given, and I will give it back to all the people of this world, little by little. I sincerely wish for a world full of joy and blessings.
イタリアのヴェネツィアで開催された CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022展の期間中に、ITSLIQUID Groupさんより受けたインタビュー記事を掲載いただきました。私は与えられた一つ一つの贈りものに感謝し、その心をこの世界の全ての人々に少しずつお返しして行きます。喜びと祝福に溢れた世界の到来を心より祈念いたします。
Ariel / 失楽園 by Masaki Hirokawa
Questions:
- What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a new graphic art project.
Until now, I concentrated more on conceptual expression having a message rather than on visual expression.
However, I am now working on creating Oriental works blending ancient and modern cultures while keeping in mind the pure beauty of visual expressions and trends.
At the same time, I also work hard on smartphone apps. While learning about more beautiful structuring and the ever-changing, universal ideas of beauty, I incorporate them into my graphic art.
Until now, I concentrated more on conceptual expression having a message rather than on visual expression.
However, I am now working on creating Oriental works blending ancient and modern cultures while keeping in mind the pure beauty of visual expressions and trends.
At the same time, I also work hard on smartphone apps. While learning about more beautiful structuring and the ever-changing, universal ideas of beauty, I incorporate them into my graphic art.
- According to you, what makes a good photo? Which details do you focus on?
I think that the noise found in analog photographs gives flat digital photographs a time axis. To my graphic artworks, I also apply noise invisible to the human eye.
However, when creating my artwork, I always have a desire to go beyond the three dimensions in a spatial sense.
While creating artwork, I proceed while paying attention to minute color tones. However, I gradually lose my ability to perceive color information and can only discern the amount of light leaking from the flat surface of the artwork.
I can only recognize it as "light," but perhaps in a multidimensional world, light can take many forms.
However, when creating my artwork, I always have a desire to go beyond the three dimensions in a spatial sense.
While creating artwork, I proceed while paying attention to minute color tones. However, I gradually lose my ability to perceive color information and can only discern the amount of light leaking from the flat surface of the artwork.
I can only recognize it as "light," but perhaps in a multidimensional world, light can take many forms.
- How is your creative process?
For me, creative activities have been the happiness of my soul.
Ever since childhood, I have wondered about my own existence. Why was I born into this world, and where is the place of my consciousness in the vastness of the universe? For example, the border between my fingers and the surrounding space is like a white, transparent membrane. There are many such wondrous things.
Ever since I became old enough to understand things, I have wondered every day why I was born and why I am here.
However, I inevitably learned the answer from the recent world situation.
Creative activities and art are essential in this world.
Ever since childhood, I have wondered about my own existence. Why was I born into this world, and where is the place of my consciousness in the vastness of the universe? For example, the border between my fingers and the surrounding space is like a white, transparent membrane. There are many such wondrous things.
Ever since I became old enough to understand things, I have wondered every day why I was born and why I am here.
However, I inevitably learned the answer from the recent world situation.
Creative activities and art are essential in this world.
- Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it your medium of expression?
I try to put everything into words as much as possible. However, there are naturally people in this world with values which cannot accept what I express.
I believe art is something that is conveyed directly from one human body to another, and from one soul to another without the use of words.
If all people could have a medium of communication other than words, they would not have to struggle to have their hearts and minds be understood. Much less fight each other with military weapons, but instead respect each other's existence more and love each other beyond national borders and cultural values.
I believe art is something that is conveyed directly from one human body to another, and from one soul to another without the use of words.
If all people could have a medium of communication other than words, they would not have to struggle to have their hearts and minds be understood. Much less fight each other with military weapons, but instead respect each other's existence more and love each other beyond national borders and cultural values.
- We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of preexisting works?
Displayed in this exhibition is the image titled, "The Justice of Equality" which I created after the shocking riots in the U.S. in 2020. The Japanese title is "Heiwa" (Peace).
This work has somehow been regarded as related to a political movement and had not seen the light of day.
Since this is the first time for me to display this image and the world is at such a critical juncture right now, I have special feelings toward this exhibition.
Thank you very much for this precious opportunity.
This work has somehow been regarded as related to a political movement and had not seen the light of day.
Since this is the first time for me to display this image and the world is at such a critical juncture right now, I have special feelings toward this exhibition.
Thank you very much for this precious opportunity.
- Do you think ITSLIQUID Group can represent an opportunity for artists?
I think that the ITSLIQUID Group features not only visually beautiful works, but also works which are heartfelt and heartwarming with a human touch.
I can see that they select works of pure beauty from artists around the world. Therefore, they are providing very precious opportunities to artists worldwide.
I can see that they select works of pure beauty from artists around the world. Therefore, they are providing very precious opportunities to artists worldwide.
Kuan Yin Bodhisattva / 救世菩薩 by Masaki Hirokawa
インタビュー内容（和訳）:
- 現在取り組んでいることは何ですか？
現在は新しいグラフィックアートの制作に取り組んでいます。
これまではビジュアル表現よりも、メッセージ性のあるコンセプチュアルな表現を重視しながら制作して来ました。
しかし現在はビジュアル表現の持つ純粋な美しさやトレンドも意識しながら、古今東西の文化が融合したオリエンタルな作品制作に取り組んでいます。
同時にスマートフォンアプリ事業にも力を入れており、より美しい構造化と、常に変わり行く普遍的な美の観点を学びながら、グラフィックアートに取り入れています。
これまではビジュアル表現よりも、メッセージ性のあるコンセプチュアルな表現を重視しながら制作して来ました。
しかし現在はビジュアル表現の持つ純粋な美しさやトレンドも意識しながら、古今東西の文化が融合したオリエンタルな作品制作に取り組んでいます。
同時にスマートフォンアプリ事業にも力を入れており、より美しい構造化と、常に変わり行く普遍的な美の観点を学びながら、グラフィックアートに取り入れています。
- 良い写真とは何だと思いますか？どのようなディテールにこだわりますか？
私はアナログ写真にあったノイズが平面のデジタル写真に時間軸を与えるものと思い、グラフィックアートにも目視できない程度にノイズをかけて仕上げています。
しかし可視的な面以外に於いても、三次元的感覚を超えたいという欲求が常にあります。
作品制作の過程では微細な調色に拘りながら作業を進めますが、次第に色覚情報を知覚できなくなり、平面の作品から微かに漏れる光の量しか判らなくなります。
私にはそれが「光」としてしか認識できませんが、もしかすると余剰次元の世界では、光も多様な形を取り得るのかもしれません。
しかし可視的な面以外に於いても、三次元的感覚を超えたいという欲求が常にあります。
作品制作の過程では微細な調色に拘りながら作業を進めますが、次第に色覚情報を知覚できなくなり、平面の作品から微かに漏れる光の量しか判らなくなります。
私にはそれが「光」としてしか認識できませんが、もしかすると余剰次元の世界では、光も多様な形を取り得るのかもしれません。
- あなたの創作活動はどのようなものですか？
私にとって創作活動は魂の喜びそのものでした。
子供の頃から自分という存在そのものが疑問で、この世に生を受けた意味や、広大な宇宙の中での自分の意識の在り処、果たして心は何処に在るのか、そして例えば自分の指とその周りの空間との境目にある白く透明な膜のようなものなど、色々なことが不思議でなりませんでした。
物心ついた頃からとにかく毎日のように、何故自分は生まれて来たのだろう、何故自分はここに居るのだろうと考え続けて来ました。
しかし昨今の世界情勢が私にその答えを否応無しに教えてくれました。
創作活動や芸術作品は、この変革と激動の世界にこそ必要なものです。
子供の頃から自分という存在そのものが疑問で、この世に生を受けた意味や、広大な宇宙の中での自分の意識の在り処、果たして心は何処に在るのか、そして例えば自分の指とその周りの空間との境目にある白く透明な膜のようなものなど、色々なことが不思議でなりませんでした。
物心ついた頃からとにかく毎日のように、何故自分は生まれて来たのだろう、何故自分はここに居るのだろうと考え続けて来ました。
しかし昨今の世界情勢が私にその答えを否応無しに教えてくれました。
創作活動や芸術作品は、この変革と激動の世界にこそ必要なものです。
- 何か特別なことを表現するためにアートを使いますか？ それはあなたの表現手段ですか？
私はなるべく全ての感情を言語化するように努めていますが、異なる思想を受け容れられない価値観の方もこの世界には当然居られると思います。
体から体へ、魂から魂へ、言葉を介さずダイレクトに伝わるのがアートだと思っています。
もし全ての人々が言葉以外の意思疎通媒体を持つことが出来れば、自分の心を理解して欲しいと苦悩することもなく、まして武器を手に取り争い合うこともなく、お互いの存在を尊重し、国境も文化価値観も超えて愛し合えると思うのです。
体から体へ、魂から魂へ、言葉を介さずダイレクトに伝わるのがアートだと思っています。
もし全ての人々が言葉以外の意思疎通媒体を持つことが出来れば、自分の心を理解して欲しいと苦悩することもなく、まして武器を手に取り争い合うこともなく、お互いの存在を尊重し、国境も文化価値観も超えて愛し合えると思うのです。
- あなたの前回の芸術作品に惹かれましたが、今回発表された作品は展覧会のために作られたものですか？ それとも既存の作品の一部として作られたものですか？
今回展示させていただいた「The Justice of Equality」という作品は、2020年に米国で起きた暴動に衝撃を受け制作した作品で、邦題は「平和」です。
この作品はこれまで何故か政治運動に関するものと見做され、陽の目を浴びる機会はありませんでした。
しかし世界が大切な分岐点に立たされたタイミングで、今回展示させていただく機会を初めて頂戴し、この展覧会には特別な思いを抱いています。
貴重な機会をいただきまして、誠にありがとうございます。
この作品はこれまで何故か政治運動に関するものと見做され、陽の目を浴びる機会はありませんでした。
しかし世界が大切な分岐点に立たされたタイミングで、今回展示させていただく機会を初めて頂戴し、この展覧会には特別な思いを抱いています。
貴重な機会をいただきまして、誠にありがとうございます。
- ITSLIQUID Groupはアーティストにとってチャンスとなり得ると思いますか？
ITSLIQUID Groupさんは、視覚的に美しいもののみならず、心のこもった作品や、人間らしさ、人間としての温かさを感じ取れる作品を選んでいるように思います。
グローバルな視点から純粋に美しい作品を選んでいるように見受けられますので、世界中のアーティストの方々にとって、とても貴重な機会を与えていると思います。
グローバルな視点から純粋に美しい作品を選んでいるように見受けられますので、世界中のアーティストの方々にとって、とても貴重な機会を与えていると思います。
Hanyō / 半妖 by Masaki Hirokawa
ITSLIQUID Group, in collaboration with Venice Events and EGO’ Boutique Hotel, is pleased to announce the opening of CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR, an international exhibition of photography, painting, video art, installation/sculpture, and performance art, that will be held in Venice, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space from March 03 to March 25, 2022, and at ITSLIQUID ART SPACE - Venice Grand Canal from March 04 to March 25, 2022.
CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR consists of 3 main sections: THE SKIN PROJECT, OUT OF BALANCE and MIXING IDENTITIES.
The word “canvas” was used for the first time in Italy in the 14th century and it has become the most common support medium for oil painting, replacing wooden panels. During the centuries, the canvas’ meaning has changed, starting from paintings, through the photographic and cinematographic film, exploring the human body, to the digital world. Canvas is the creatives’ common ground, on which they can express themselves. We invited all the artists to share their personal artistic research through any kind of media, from painting to sculptures and installation, from photography to video art.
The first section of this exhibition is well represented by Fabiana Privitera's "Mar(e)mo (2)" a digital work that, starting from the medium used, extends the concept of the canvas. Her work explains how the human body, and the skin in particular, is able to communicate: through different models of female beauty, she enhances the scars as paint marks on our skin, because they are our victories, making us unique and unrepeatable. Conversely to this new idea of the canvas, "Underneath" by Teresa Bellini remembers us of the power of the canvas as a classical medium that is a place for dialogue and exchange between the artist and those who see her works. There is total freedom in this dialogue. The story behind each painting is the synergy between the artist's emotions and memories, and those of the observers.
Ewe Klimi's works well express the concept of out of balance with her "Namokro". Indeed the artist, mixing the work of the photographer Ida Pawlak, the model Anastasia Kraśko and her technique of digital painting, creates a new medium that invites the viewer to establish a connection based on a sense of security, wrapping the soul in a thirst for tenderness. To get lose oneself in another reality for a while. Luca Nebuloni is an Italian photographer who presents during this exhibition his works “The Awakening”, "Boats in the rain", "Mother's love". In the history of Art, photography has been recognized as the real first different medium far from the canvas, which gives us the possibility to represent the world as it is and as it would be seen by the artists, creating a real revolution in the way to understand the Art. Among the photographer taking part in CANVAS 2022, there is Hilda Champion a German/American fine art photographer. Hilda uses the camera, as a canvas, so as a tool to express ideas and emotions. Sometimes she records “reality”, but mostly perceived reality. Her aspiration in photography is less about showing the world as it is, but rather to release the poetry of the ordinary and help people see the unseen. Her goal is to show an abstraction of what she sees, free of distractions. Her images are “based on a true fantasy”. Differently, Jana Kupčáková uses photography as a way to describe the real world capturing its crowded and its dynamic show. She is interested in playing light and shadow, humorous or artistic elements, facial expressions, gestures, color contrasts, and situations that often last only for a moment.
At the same time the artist Masaki Hirokawa, from Japan, plays with reality and spirituality through photography. From one of its works titled "The Justice of Equality" we can understand how important is mixing identities in his art; indeed this work expresses the concept that every being is an incarnation of God, a separate Spirit, and all life is equal, also if he calls the work as a mechanical being. Maja Strgar Kurečić is a fine art photographer and an Associate Professor of photography at the Faculty of Graphic Arts, University of Zagreb, Croatia. She has been involved in photography for over 25 years and in the last few years, she has rethought the concept of photography, devoting herself to projects that fall within the field of abstract photography. Thanks to her work “Joy of life” she shows us how the use of photography can have a lot of ways of expression.
In addition, the exhibition’s concepts are well enhanced through a selection of video artworks and a dedicated screen, that for themselves question the canvas as we have always think of it.
organized by ITSLIQUID Group
curator Luca Curci
in collaboration with Venice Events and EGO’ Boutique Hotel
project manager Giulia Tassi
project coordinators Amaride Ferrante, Veronica Piras, Giulia Spagnuolo
collaborators Francesca Clementi, Elisabetta Eliotropio, Ilaria Falchetti, Federica Pagin, Benedetta Reale
graphic designer Francesca Di Lauro
supported by BIG HORN | ENKI EYEWEAR | FABIO ZUGLIAN ART | MARIA ODDY | PIRAEUS BANK | WWWH
curator Luca Curci
in collaboration with Venice Events and EGO’ Boutique Hotel
project manager Giulia Tassi
project coordinators Amaride Ferrante, Veronica Piras, Giulia Spagnuolo
collaborators Francesca Clementi, Elisabetta Eliotropio, Ilaria Falchetti, Federica Pagin, Benedetta Reale
graphic designer Francesca Di Lauro
supported by BIG HORN | ENKI EYEWEAR | FABIO ZUGLIAN ART | MARIA ODDY | PIRAEUS BANK | WWWH
VENUES
THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space
Calle Larga San Marco, 374 – 30124 Venice, Italy
OPENING March 03, 2022 | 05:00PM
March 04 – March 25, 2022
09:30AM – 05:30PM | Monday – Friday
THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space
Calle Larga San Marco, 374 – 30124 Venice, Italy
OPENING March 03, 2022 | 05:00PM
March 04 – March 25, 2022
09:30AM – 05:30PM | Monday – Friday
ITSLIQUID ART SPACE - Venice Grand Canal
Palazzo Bembo, first floor
Riva del Carbon, 4793 – 4785, 30124 Venice, Italy
OPENING March 04, 2022 | 05:00PM
March 07 – March 25, 2022
09:30AM – 05:30PM | Monday – Friday
Palazzo Bembo, first floor
Riva del Carbon, 4793 – 4785, 30124 Venice, Italy
OPENING March 04, 2022 | 05:00PM
March 07 – March 25, 2022
09:30AM – 05:30PM | Monday – Friday
