ART&CULTURE / 2023.06.02

Mao Nagaba "APIECE OF PAPER" launch commemorative pop-up event O Nagaba Interview (1/2)

Mao Nagaba "APIECE OF PAPER" launch commemorative pop-up event O Nagaba Interview with Yu Nagaba

There is a taste that can be seen because it is simple. Yu Nagaba, an artist known for his monochrome line drawing works. The other day, a pop-up event was held at SkiiMa gallery on the 4th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO to commemorate the publication of A PIECE OF PAPER. This collection of works is a collection of various client works from 2018 to 2022, but it is a big volume of 656 pages in total. I can't help but pay attention to the specification that the binding is a wrapping paper for copy paper. But Mr. Nagaba, why is it a copy paper?

Interview & Text

Yusuke Nakamura

Photo

Kazuki Watanabe

ーーThis collection of works "APIECE OF PAPER" has a sense of "things". The total number of pages is 656.

Long field: Anyway, there was a desire to create a sense of volume.

ーWhere is the idea of putting together like a bundle of copy paper?

Long field: Regardless of draft or clear book, I always draw pictures on A4 copy paper. When I finished drawing it, I stock it in a box, but it's a huge bundle, and it comes from there.

ーThe cover of the collection of works is a bundle of copy paper wrapping paper. That kind of stylishness is also interesting.

Long field: I asked the designer Yoshihisa Tanaka for the binding, but I was originally a fan of Tanaka, and I also liked the work of Nerhol (artist duo), and I was happy if I could do something together. Originally, the word "copy paper" was in my head, but Mr. Tanaka saw the bundle of original drawings in the atelier and embodied it.

ーThere is also a drawing at the venue. Unlike the works I usually see, the sketches drawn were surprising.

Long field: It's important to look for the lines first. When I can't draw well, I sometimes re-drawn the same motif many times, but in such a case, I often look for the correct answer from the sketch.

What is Nagaba's correct answer?

Long field: I don't really like things that are too explanatory. I'm aiming to give it as much as possible, without explaining it. I sometimes add details.

Mr. Nagaba's client work affixed to the wall

ー For example, there are works with the letters SONIC YOUTH, but is this explanatory?

Long field: It's a picture of the musician Nirvana, but I'm drawing because the members were wearing Sonic Youth T-shirts. It's not explanatory, but if you know the influence relationship between Nirvana and Sonic Youth, you may have such an intention that the background of this painting will blur out.

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