aya takano

interview   PURPLE — How would you define the specificity of Japanese art? AYA TAKANO — Japan has produced vastly different cultural forms throughout its history — from the asymmetrical and highly expressive artifacts of the Jo ̄mon period that resemble relics from South America 13,000 years ago, to the soft, flowing hiragana script derived from Chinese characters around 1,000 years ago; from the aesthetics of imperfection and wabi-sabi dating back 400 years to the bold cropping and flat perspective of ukiyo-e woodblock prints of the same period. Each age has created its unique cultural expressions. There are countless other examples — too many to list here — that demonstrate the richness of Japan’s historical creativity. I find this history incredibly compelling. However, in the present day, the wave of mass consumerism dominating the world is eroding Japan’s original cultural identity. I believe we must revive the animistic worldview that…