Takeru Amano Exhibition "Venus" Interview with Takeru Amano (March 3)

―What are the recent changes in the VENUS series?

Amano: What's inside of me, but the painting is getting better. It feels like the tree is growing little by little. It's a growth that can only be understood by myself. But it's not good if it gets too good. I'm going to do something extra.

―The background of this VENUS is yellow, but what is this?

Amano: Yellow because it is an exhibition in Osaka. In the color of the Hanshin Tigers (laughs). Shibuya is a city of Gal, so it's pink. You like that. Take care of local rules. In the past, I didn't like that much, but now I'm thinking around. Also, since I was a Japanese, I didn't like drawing samurai, but I felt that everyone in that place wanted it.

―Let's take a ride, right?

Amano: That's right. A friend in Paris, you are Japanese, so make sushi! I said it, okay! I'll make it! It turned into sushi like rice balls (laughs). But it’s a challenge for that place.

―Exhibitions are being held not only in Japan but also in Korea, France and U.K. the other day. How do you see the recent changes in the art scene, especially the market?

Amano: A lot of young writers have been selling in the last three or four years. I just think it's okay (laughs). Some writers are able to eat in art at about 18 years old. I really think the times have changed. However, I think the distance to art will change even more. In that sense, I want children to come to see this exhibition.

―May I listen to Mr. Amano's ambitions?

Amano: Oh yeah. When I look at a picture, I think like this, I think like this, and I think that the thing that is between people is art. You can sympathize with each other, or you can fight. I want to create such a situation from a single picture. I think that's what I'm doing, I'm drawing.

―How did you think so?

Amano: It was seven or eight years ago. When I'm doing a solo exhibition in Paris, a grandmother came and praised my painting with tears. I was surprised. They try to tell each other even though they don't understand each other. That's what happened from a picture, that's what happened.

―Finally, what is your impression of Osaka?

Amano: Osaka has a little away feeling. In the past, I had a techno party at a club, and in Tokyo there were about 800 customers, but in Osaka there were only 3 people.…(laughs). But now I'm away, so it's fun. Ideally, when I wake up in the morning at the hotel, I have a different view. You can see five-storied pagoda in Kyoto and Pantheon in Paris. I wish I could see Tsutenkaku in Osaka (laughs). Now, you can see the dome (Kyocera) from where you are staying, so when you wake up in the morning! I'm excited.

―There have been a lot of activities overseas so far, but still?

Amano: No, I'm excited! I want to be excited and be surprised. Just like you want to see an unknown movie. So, in this exhibition, I want customers to look at the picture and be surprised first. Simply, yes! It's big! That's okay (laughs).