The exhibition "Harukiru Empty Box Bijutsukan" by artist and empty box craftsman Harukiru, who is making art works from empty boxes of sweets, is being held at SPACE14 on the 14th floor until December 12th (Sun).
A number of empty box arts that have been talked about mainly on SNS gather. In addition to new works and first-time works, about 80% of works produced so far will be exhibited at a record scale! I asked Harukiru directly about the production of works that seemed lost in the world of fairy tales.

―No way, the box of sweets you eat casually will be reborn as such an attractive work…。 How does an idea come up?
When I walk around the supermarket or Plara, I think while thinking, "What kind of work can I make with this box?" Packaging design is also a work created while thinking about how professional designers look attractive, so it is most fun to make three-dimensional works while making use of the original design.

―Do you have a blueprint in your head?
Rather than preparing and producing diagrams, I make it feel like I'm connected to clay. On average, it can be made in about 1 to 2 weeks, or in about 3 hours at the earliest.

―Are there any works that were particularly difficult on display this time?
For products characterized by the individuality of the package, the production approach is different, for example, it was difficult because there were no such pure Japanese-style packages like the new work "Onikoroshi". Also, "Ritz" is my personal favorite masterpiece. Artificial objects such as cars and buildings are easy to make, but it is very difficult to create curves for creatures.

―All of them are really alive, right? In particular, you have the impression that there are many gadgets such as robots and armor, so do you like it as a motif?
It may also have an effect that you like anime and manga. As with "Pringle's", I think it was born after learning from poses and especially anime and manga. In terms of gadgets, the package of "cup noodle" was a special material, so it was difficult to bend and attach it. That's why you can feel the near future that you can't put out in a paper box.

―What is particularly impressive about "cup noodle" is that the character's individuality stands out according to the flavor.
Soy sauce taste is a royal road, so make it a hero's character. On the other hand, seafood is a partner or rival position. I think that curry and tomato taste are sub-characteristic and unique (laughs). One of the pleasures is to add the settings according to the package.

―While imagining the individuality of each work, the world expands even more if you look at it! Do you have any packages you are aiming for in the future?
At the moment, most of them can be purchased at nearby supermarkets, so in the future I would like to aim for the world expansion with works using boxes of sweets from overseas such as the United States!

This exhibition is full of unique works that are so realistic that you can hear your breath, and that shines with ideas as you fall in love, making you want to stay for a long time. We actually sell sweets at merchandise sales, so please buy it home and try making three-dimensional!

■Empty box bijutsukan

Period From now on to Sunday, December 12, 2021
　　　※Admission until 30 minutes before closing time ※Closed at 18:00 on the last day
Venue: 14F／SPACE14
Price: 800 yen for general, 500 yen for elementary and junior high school students, free for elementary school students
Organizer: PARCO

Click here for more information
https://art.parco.jp/shinsaibashi/detail/?id=767