Could you tell me about a sharing space called LABO?

I set up the working space with friends from the university in Nakameguro. We rented the space which used to be a furniture atelier. Asking a friend of architect to do interior finishing, we planned to create a comfortable space for us.There are 10 people sharing the space at the present, with several race such as a designer, programmer and artist. For me, it’s very important space and I can say LABO made me positive for my personal exhibition. Basically I like to be looked cool, so I can work hard when someone looks at me.

I heard you bought a sawing machine for embroidery last year. How do you use it in your work?

I showed the art work made with the sawing machine for the first time at an exhibition held at CPF in Aoyama. I think it’s very attractive that the work is created through my hand, digital technology and a machine.

What’s your idea for the next exhibition which will be held in October in Sapporo?

I’m going to exhibit the drastic version upped series of works which was exhibited at a group exhibition held in August, Tokyo. Tangled, tied and fraied…there are various vocabularies to express the state of thread and express the relationship. I think it’s because thread itself involve such image. In the next exhibition, one of the point to which I try to direct my attention is how much I can draw people’s attention on thread. I’m also going to challenge to find out the new relationship with thread and silk screen or spray, mainly using the sawing machine.

Could you tell me the concept of the cover design this month?

I focused on a stitch made by a sawing machine. Each lines look generated mechanically at a first glance but actually, each has own character. Making a handwritten copy of a sutra is said to make people concentrated and raise the power of prayer or desire. Lines generated by a sawing machine is similar to it. People can’t write exactly the same letter again. Same with that, the sawing machine can’t keep making exactly the same line with a slight sway. However, the sawing machine keeps generating beautiful lines plainly and silently.

What’s your vision for the future?

Having an exhibition outside of Japan, for example. I always keep doing new things. Recently I try to make anything which is around me to which is supposed to be. It’s difficult to say but putting something into a mold naturally. Something like that.. I work with such feeling recently.

Please leave a message to Shift readers.

Hope to see you sometime and somewhere. This industry is unexpectedly narrow.

Taku Anekawa
Address: 1-9-6 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
http://www.anekawa.com