Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Takeo Hirose ("TH") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.
TH : Ⅰ started studying photography by myself, in earnest in 2011 when Japan suffered from the huge earthquake disaster.
TH : Through the earthquake I understood that the beautiful sceneries are not eternal but actually very fragile, and noticed the importance of taking photos of the Japanese beauty. I wish to express the world of traditional Japanese paintings and ink paintings with modern Japanese sensibility and the photo technology.
TH : It was my choice.
TH : I create works with motifs of Japanese scenery and materials.
TH : I think it's important to take a lot of photos and develop them, and to see many art works other than photography and get inspired by them.
TH : I think great designers are those who can influence people outside their area of expertise.
TH : I evaluate whether the work has novelty and intelligence. In the case of art work, I evaluate by the impact, concept, and layer.
TH : The value of design is that you can feel happy with it. I think it's important to look and feel good.
TH : I would like to create works of cherry blossoms and wisteria, which are traditional Japanese motifs. Their blooming times are so short that I'm rarely lucky to shoot at the best timing.
TH : I would like to take photos of the famous Kyoto Arashiyama bamboo forest illumination in an unattended situation. Since it is a very famous tourist spot, it is always crowded with many tourists and I can't calmly shoot there.
TH : I think the way of developing is different from usual. I use cyanotype tone to make a little difference from traditional Japanese ink painting, which is another characteristic of mine.
TH : Among the photographers, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Andreas Gursky, and old famaous Japanese painters such as Hokusai, Hasegawa Tohaku, Ogata Korin, Ito Jakuchu are the source of my inspirations.
TH : One of the most favorite works is "Theaters" series by Sugimoto Hiroshi. The idea of recording time by the long-exposure shot of movies made me so surprised and impressed. I love works which have layers of thought, or interpretation.
TH : My best work so far is awarded one in the A' Design award. The title is "Skyscrapers NO.1". I think it is wholly well-balanced, bold yet intricate.
TH : I recommend to see many art works in the museum. I feel that first-class arts have something in common.
TH : Design enrich my life, make me happy and comfortable.
TH : My most reliable supporter is my wife, who has often given hints and advices to me.
TH : To keep creating my works.
TH : I have found that I have red-green color vision deficiency and it is difficult to distinguish a certain color gamut. After that, I have been working on creating monochrome works and works that are not affected by such color blindness.
TH : Photographers have many opportunities to present their works in the current SNS era, so I think that basically you should actively present your works and increase your fans. When you reach a certain level, it is also important not to present a work that you are not confident about and may not be evaluated.
TH : I would like to continue creating bamboo forest works. In the future, I would like to create works with other Japanese motifs.
TH : To be stored in a famous museum in the world. Delivering my works to collectors around the world.
TH : There are still many things I can express with a motif of bamboo, and I would like to meet beautiful bamboo forests all over Japan.
TH : Improving the status of photography in the art industry.
TH : In the photography art, the manipulation and collage fields that emphasize the creativity of the artist will become popular.
TH : I want to continue the current bamboo forest series for the rest of my life.
TH : The quality of my works greatly rely on technological advances in cameras, development software, and displays. I became able to create works at a level that I could not do a few years ago.
TH : The developing software is Photoshop and the developing display is DELL's 8K display. When developed with an 8K display, the resolution and perspective of the works become clear and more detailed developments become possible.
TH : I wish people to ask about my intention to create the works.
TH : When I walk with my dog, I often come up with a new idea.
TH : I create my work by myself.
TH : Mr. Kent Shiraishi, who is famous for the blue pond in Hokkaido, is my mentor. His online courses have taught me not only technically but also mentally, and my creative activities greatly influenced by him.
TH : I was trained in books and online, and taught by Mr. Kent Shiraishi's online course.
TH : I would like to meet with the famous Japanese painters of centuries ago, such as Hokusai, Ogata Korin, Tohaku, and Jakuchu.
TH : Yes, I think it is very hard to be famous. However, I wish not to be famous, but to deliver my works to specific people who loves and cherish them.
TH : My motivation is winning the contest and making the fans.
TH : No, when I was young, I wasn't very good at art, but I was more interested in music.
TH : I think that most of what humans can imagine now will be realized in future. We may begin to live on other planets or have contact with aliens.
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