Case 03_Collector Ken Yokomachi I'm very eager to support young writers."
Ken Yokomachi
Born in Tokyo in 1973, he launched Anea Design, an interior design company, in 2008, and at the same time opened Anea Cafe, which he also owns. In 2014, he also started Botanaize, a boutique of exotic plants including tuberous plants. . In her private life, she collects art and owns various works.
What was the year 2020 like?
Yokomachi:. It was a year in which we were hit hard, as events we were planning to hold this year had to be cancelled due to the effects of Corona. My company sells food and beverages as well as plants, and the food and beverage business was particularly affected. On the other hand, the plants business was a saving grace, as online sales grew as people tried to spend more time at home. . I guess this is also connected to art, as people spend more time at home, they want to enrich the things around them.
Yokomachi-san, have you also turned your attention to such items around you?
Mr. Yokomachi describes the "Room of Example. The room is made of concrete and decorated with artwork, giving it the feel of a gallery.
Yokomachi:I turned to the best of my ability. . this year I bought a lot of artwork. I started selling plants largely because I loved to collect them, but a few years ago I took a turn at the helm and stopped collecting them privately. . and I began to vent that desire through art and figurines. I have a place where I hang my art, which I call my "example room," where I collect my works.
How many pieces did you purchase this year?
Yokomachi:This year alone, I think I have bought less than 50 items.
That much! That's amazing.
Yokomachi:Not only does it fill your heart with appreciation, but it also satisfies your desire for ownership by having a work of art around you that has the colors you like. . And then there is the satisfaction of being able to buy a work of art by an artist you like. . Perhaps such a desire is strong in my case. If there is a color variation of the same work, I have to have all the colors to feel satisfied.
What kind of works do you like?
Hiroyuki MatsuuraTHE APPLE" by Mr. Yokomachi is his favorite work. The bite of a silver apple is unique.
this way (direction close to the speaker or towards the speaker)Shinnosuke Hariya. by an artist recommended by Mr. Yokomachi.
Yokomachi:I often buy works by young artists who are the next breakthrough artists, rather than works by famous artists. This is just a trend, and I try to buy works that have my own taste as a prerequisite. In addition, I keep my antennae open and often visit solo and group exhibitions of unknown artists and students who do not yet identify themselves as artists.
Do you also want to support young writers?
Yokomachi:Yes, I am very eager to support them. I believe that there is no limit to the possibility that what I post on Instagram and other social media will catch someone's attention and expand the scope of my activities. In fact, there was an artist whose work sold out after I bought it and uploaded it on social media.
Have you ever purchased artwork online?
Yokomachi:I have had to buy a few things, but basically I visited the exhibitions and bought them, while taking all the necessary precautions. Although it is less often than in the past, this year I have been going to some exhibitions once or twice a month. . I have to do so in order to get a feel for the texture and size of the pieces. . but I have a feeling that online will go on more and more in the future.
. What are your three favorite purchases this year?
Yokomachi:this way (direction close to the speaker or towards the speaker)snow cocoonI bought this work at an exhibition held at the Trunk Hotel in Shibuya last month. I bought it at an exhibition held at the Trunk Hotel in Shibuya last month. The punkish work with straightened teeth was right up my alley, and even though I was just going to go see the exhibition, I fell in love with it at first sight and bought it immediately. There were three pieces on display, all in editions of five, and I was disappointed that I couldn't buy one of them.
Yokomachi:The other is.LOTTAI like works that are a bit weird but somehow cute, such as those with bags or balaclavas. I like works that are a little weird but somehow cute, such as those with bags or balaclavas, and this one fits my taste perfectly, so I bought it. She is good at drawing characters. She is very good at drawing characters, and I have a feeling that she is going to make a breakthrough in the future.
Yokomachi:The last one is not something I bought this year,WrongworksI bought it in 2013 and recently framed it and loved it. I was attracted by his sense of humor. I am curious to see what he will do in the future.
What are some of the things that have been happening in the art scene this year that have caught your attention?
Yokomachi:The secondary market was extremely heated. One gallery owner told us that the price of his prints exceeded the price of the originals. I heard that such a tendency is particularly strong in Japan. It would be nice if this could boost the art world and improve the reputation of the artists, but I feel frustrated when I think of the current situation in which it is difficult for works to reach sincere collectors and fans.
Yokomachi recommended it at the "100 People Exhibition."SIVELIA- HNDThe work of Mr. Yokomachi. I had actually met him once before, 10 years ago, and I felt a sense of fate," said Yokomachi.
Finally, what do you think will happen to the art industry in the future?
Yokomachi:As I just mentioned, I wonder if the secondary market will continue to be unusually heated. I am afraid that the popularity of famous artists will increase even more if online activities become more active, and on the other hand, young artists who are trying their best will have less opportunities to be active. This year, an exhibition called "100 Artists" was held by the Japan Art Tech Association. I served as a selector, and 100 artists participated in the exhibition, selling their works for a flat fee of 100,000 yen, with the full amount returned to the artist upon sale. I hope there will be more opportunities like this in the future. I think it would give young artists a sense of fulfillment.
