Foam printing was the only way to reproduce the "Hedorah" look.
K.: Recently, you have added a new aspect to your activities: picture books, haven't you?
Shimoda:I am also allowed to do picture books, but even though I draw my own picture books, I don't know how children feel. I'm trying not to adapt to children anymore, so I probably can't make it as a picture book artist. The most recent "deadbeatThe picture book called "The Picture Book" begins with the main character getting bumped off (laughs). I originally drew this picture book when I was in my 20s. At the time, the publishers were angry with me and said, "There's no way you can publish something like this," so I gave up on it, but when I showed it to them after I turned 50, they were interested in it. I thought to myself, "It's good that they don't get angry at me when I get older (laughs).
Upstream:The "Dead Kaizoku" exhibit was very nice.
Shimoda:Since it is about the deep sea, I asked them to darken the exhibition space. As your eyes become accustomed to it, you will be able to see the painting.
Upstream:The dark space with the curtains closed made the blue of the ocean seem even more beautiful.
Artwork improvised on Kawakami's personal belongings at the time of the interview.
The cover of "Dead Kaizoku" has a Gaikotsu on it, and you also used Gaikotsu motifs on the collaborative items this time, didn't you?
Shimoda:I've always been strangely fond of bones. Even the Gaikotsu figures on the glass shelves there are all things I bought when I was a kid. Isn't it great to have more enemies than main characters?
Upstream:Is there something about villains that attracts you?
Shimoda:I wonder why. The most cherished Hedorah (Note: A fictional monster that appears in the tokusatsu movie "Godzilla vs. A.K.A. "Pollution Monster") has been re-released many times. The first Hedorah I have has been re-released several times, but the price of the first one I have has gone up quite a bit. The color scheme is cool, isn't it?
Kawakami-san, did you make any requests to Shimoda-san for this collaboration?
Upstream:I really wanted the brand name to be drawn. The logo on the T-shirt that Mr. Shimoda is wearing now is that, and isn't it really cool? To create this melting effect, I used a foam print instead of a silkscreen.
I feel Hedra in this rawness.
Shimoda:That's right (laughs). I don't know much about clothes, so Kawakami-kun taught me a lot. When we went out for tea, he scribbled on a notebook in front of me. I am easily moved by compliments. When he praised my portraits, it made me happy and I wanted to draw them.
