This installation also takes the roll as a shop interior, did you face any hardships? What did you find out along the way?

I would have been conflicted if I had to work with like a white cube. I have been working as an architect and not necessarily creating things as art. Working as an architect, the client’s demand or condition of the site or project becomes a part of the working context. And it was related to the architect’s work to make something coexisting with mainly denim products in such a unique space.

Photo: Mikio Shuto

Originally, “Suspended Figure” was created as an abstract work as well as a shop interior. Not only the assembly of the lamps, but I also designed the store fixture for products, hanging pipes and so on. I also directed the basic disposition of the products and forms with image sketches. It’s not that the work and the shop are coexisting, but more like the work is in the form of the shop. It would be great if you could feel the whole space as the entire work itself.

Photo: Mikio Shuto

Today, it seems both easy and difficult for architects to work, what is your stance?

Thinking in terms of economic growth and the environment, I think this is the era where the demand for simplistic architecture is going to be reduced. I think it will be more important to make greater works as a designer or a creator in the broader sense of the term, not as an architect.

“SO-EN 70th+1 PAPER FANTASY”

I had been thinking that the point of Design was to make improvements in various areas and issues while sometimes impressing people. Therefore, I think I am congenial to the current age and am able to provide the best design for each situation, regardless of the architectural genre. However, I feel the technological knowledge, the design sensibility and the relationship with people in various fields which I all attributed to working in the field of architecture, gave me my best weapon as a broad designer- and my identity as well. I would like to work in any genre, but still feel my identity is referred to as an architect.

Please tell us more about yourself and past works.

I have previously worked in architectural design at a design office, and then went independent in 2006. I have often been asked to work on projects which require a kind of juvenescence or the power of ideas. Also doing interior design for shops as well as space design for exhibitions, regardless of genre. Personally, I’d like to try renovating or converting spaces in the near future.

Suspended Figure
Date: February 20th – May 11th, 2008
Open: 11:00 – 20:00 (2F GALLERY from 13:00)
Place: DIESEL DENIM GALLERY AOYAMA 2F
Address: 6-3-3 Aoyama Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)3 6418 5323
http://www.diesel.co.jp/denimgallery