Statement

When I came here in Berlin in October, the weather had been so nice and warm. I think that it was nice to stay here in fall. The trees started changing the colors. I didn't want to stay in the atelier. I just wanted to go out when I saw the nice blue sky. However, the other hand I worried about my new works. I participated Schinkel-Residency program; I should make some new works here. The Schinkel-Residency program offered to use the atelier, there was a big window. From the window I could see the TV tower, old churches, the City hall and many tourists who were taking pictures of the TV tower. I went out and enjoyed walking around the city almost every day. The best thing is I could walk around the town. I could take photos, also easy to stop and take a look at some architectures and shops.

I have been making my works of twisting paper nets since 1996. I usually installed the nets at the exhibition space. I have not changed my stile since then. I know what kind of paper I could use it for. I feel comfortable to use Japanese paper but I am not paper artist. Especially I am not Japanese paper artist. I use Japanese paper because it's easy to get and not so expensive to buy in Tokyo.

I brought some Japanese papers, which I am usually using for my works with me in Berlin. However, I didn't feel comfortable to work with Japanese paper this time, so I was looking for something new materials, which I can use for my artworks. I went to an art shop and got some papers. Of course, I was able to get some Japanese papers or the other kinds of papers at the shop, too.

I was staying at an artist house during this program. She reads two different kinds of newspapers everyday. In the kitchen, there was a pail of the newspapers. When I first saw the German newspaper, I thought, I might use it for my works. So I got some of them from her house. I could not read the newspaper but I enjoyed look through the newspapers. The German newspaper has a lot of color pictures and advertisements on it. The papers are thinner and finer than Japanese newspaper. I had tired to twist Japanese newspaper few years ago but it didn't work well. I tried to twist the New York Times too. However, also didn't work well as German newspaper. This time I twisted German newspaper the same way of my usual art works.

I decided to use for the German newspaper for my new works. Most of the time I made my works for the exhibit space size. In this time I was impressed the big window and the view from the atelier, so I made a net of the window size. After that I fold it up as same as the German newspaper size and finished it. It's also for emphasizing making in the newspaper. So I putted in the title: CAN YOU READ THIS?

The other artwork, which I had made, is using a shoebox. I bought new shoes, which I fell in love at the first sight at the shop. I start wearing them so I don't need to put them into a box anymore. I also like the box. I don't want to throw it away. The box is what met by chance, and if it is conscious of nothing, it becomes trash. I used it for my work, so the box also can be reflect my time in Berlin. The first impression of the things, people and atmosphere are very important for me. I wanted to install these memories and impression of Berlin into my new works. I putted in the title: MY TRIP. I wrapped it up with my works. I want to continue to use the method of twisting, which I usually use it for. This time I used new material that I found in Berlin. I don't mind if I have to change the materials. I changed the materials because I wanted to put into some meanings. So it was good to change the materials this time.

I usually don't use special materials, like natural materials. I don't use special or original method when I make works. I don't need to use special machines. People can make them if they know how to twist of papers. This idea is the thing, which it has a few of my old experience and memory, the influence of surrounding people, etc., and has been produced. Since it begins to make a work until now, I have the encounter with new people, and various things were able to be experienced. A still newer interest develops from those experiences, and mind as it spread and went also to overseas. Much experiences of the exchange with people whom I did not invent, either which I am experienced and touch different culture was also completed the past several years. They are stabbing that you may look back upon the culture of your country, your experience, etc., and it is easy to think, and think that an idea and the way of thinking new again are produced by them through them. Moreover, I want progress when I pass through these works, experience, the encounter with people, etc. to find in it the memory, which can also be called individual record, which each man has.

In this Schinkel-Residency program that gave the time of a space and two months, I think that many time to look back upon my work and time to make and study a new work could be taken. Moreover, I think that the culture, the art, the historical building, and architectures in Berlin could be slowly appreciated just because a sightseeing tour and linguistic studying abroad were stays of a different form. It was also very interesting that the exchange with those who are working as architects or artists here was completed. This time, I am accepted in this residence program and it is very thankful to people of Zentralbuero who gave the atelier.