： FUTURE NOMADS Ⅱ

“FUTURE NOMADS Ⅱ” : THEME

This is a new artwork which follows the concept of “FUTURE NOMADS” that was previously presented at the select shop Leisure Center in Vancouver, Canada.
The theme of the work is four warriors who travel between the past and future, protecting traditional crafts, culture and ideas.

Once again, this artwork was realized utilizing the help of many collaborators involved in the production.
Below is a list of our collaborators :

Figure sculpting : Tomane Co., Ltd.
Mask Creation : Moe（instagram @moegation）
Hanging scroll fabric production : Tamiya Raden Co., Ltd.
Hanging scroll icon design : Tarek Benlahcen （instagram @therisingsunberber）

We commissioned Tomane Co., Ltd. to create the figures themselves.
The original figures were made according to the size of a human body, so we had them adjust the size to fit the artwork.
The mannequin that served as the base was created by scanning an actual human body and then changing the core balance to suit our own new unique balance.
I think this core balance has a big impact on the ultimate dynamism of the figures.

The concept for this artwork required both stillness and movement and this figure has an image close to the core balance that DEVOA creates, so we were very satisfied with the finished objects.

The masks were original creations inspired by the ethnic atmosphere common to all four warriors.
For this project, I once again communicated the image to Moe（instagram @moegation） who originally did the designs for the figures during FUTURE NOMADS and asked him to create new masks.
She accurately understood my concept and produced pieces with a feeling that I was very satisfied with.

We commissioned Tamiya Raden Co., Ltd., which is located in the Tango textile production area of Kyoto, to create the hanging scroll.
I was personally able to experience and appreciate on-site that their techniques and work have been cultivated over many years and are produced with a delicate sensibility and consideration that is uniquely Japanese.
They continue to produce products worthy of traditional craftsmanship even in this modern era.
In particular, the process of slicing nacre (mother-of-pearl) into lengths of less than 1m, widths of 1mm and then inserting them as weft threads into the fabric to create unique patterns requires skilled techniques and time.
This meticulous and precise work and techniques are a concentrated version of the Japanese process.
The finished fabric is very delicate which allows the design to be accurately reproduced.

For the motif in the center of the hanging scroll, we adopted an original design that expresses the philosophy of Tarek（instagram @therisingsunberber）, who usually designs and manages hotels and other businesses.
Tarek designs hotels from the conception stage and, as a designer, his concepts are amazing.
Originally I had already completed the overall design, but seeing Tarek’s amazing design and how it fitted perfectly with the story behind the Future Nomad II figures, I decided to incorporate Tarek’s design proposal instead.
This design and the Tamiya Raden technique are incorporated according to the golden ratio of Japanese hanging scrolls, and the flag of this ideology is raised in the background of the four warriors.

This artwork took three years to complete, from the start of production to assembling the figures and the hanging scroll.
This artwork took three years to complete, from the start of production to assembling the figures and the hanging scroll.
For example, the shoes for the figures were made entirely out of leather (including the soles) and so creating it was a lot of fun.
The fabric for the figures and hanging scrolls turned out exactly as I had imagined, so that the subsequent assembly process went very smoothly.
During the production period of the figures I was able to contemplate many things from a different perspective than the usual and thus create it in a positive environment.

The exhibition took place at Darklands-X （now Dark lands Bunker） in Berlin, Germany, a long time business partner of DEVOA.
Their store is located in the heart of Berlin, a symbolic location surrounded by famous art galleries.

This was my third time exhibiting artwork at Darklands.
Every time I visit Berlin, I feel that it is different from Tokyo in that it has a smaller population compared to its size and when I walk around the city during my stay, I get the feeling that every day is like Sunday and that time is somehow slowing down.

The owner, Campbell, always introduces me to galleries and art museums in Berlin and during my stay I visit many galleries and flea markets which is a great opportunity to be exposed to a lot of influences and stimulation that I would not normally be able to experience in Tokyo.
The Darklands-X store is a vast space where you can see a wide variety of products and artworks.

Photography is strictly prohibited inside the store, so we cannot show you any images, but this is a store that you should definitely visit whenever you are in Berlin.

First Exhibition : Dark lands Bunker（Berlin,Germany）

2nd Exhibition : Eth0s Shanghai

Created : 2023
First Exhibition : Dark lands Bunker（Berlin,Germany）
2nd Exhibition : Eth0s Shanghai
Material : Japanese paper, calf leather, silk, wood, mother of pearl, camel hair
Figure Size : H50cm x W40cm x 40cm
Kakejiku size : H140cm x W40cm