Significance of art in a shoe box.
PROFILE
Born in Tokyo , 1985. After working in PR for a major select store and an apparel manufacturer, he became an independent illustrator in 2019. . He contributes illustrations mainly to fashion media and books, including HOUYHNHNM. . He has also done a wide range of client work, including for MOUNTAIN RESERCH, UNIQLO, and HAMILTON.
Instagram: @hiranuma_hisayuki
PROFILE
He made his debut in 2016 with "iphoneman", which he drew in California. After that, he moved his base to Tokyo and has been active in a wide range of activities, such as providing illustrations for POPEYE magazine and collaborating with apparel brands. Her self-taught illustrations are characterized by their "bad-ugly" touch.
Instagram: @graphicmaster_koba
PROFILE
Born in 1991 in Osaka , Japan . started his career as an artist at the age of 15. In 2017, he held his first overseas solo exhibition "Home At Last" at "Nepenthes New York"; in 2020, he will hold an exhibition "STAR CHILD" at "BEAMS JAPAN B GALLERY". Currently, the traveling exhibition "STAR CHILDREN" has started at "Chignitta Space" in Osaka, and will be held at "reload" in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo in June.
Instagram: @kota_toyoda
From left to right, Mr. Toyoda, Mr. Gramas, and Mr. Hiranuma
What were your honest thoughts when you received the offer?
Hiranuma:I never imagined that I would receive an offer from Vans. I was honestly very happy. It is too much of an honor to be able to write the word "Vans" officially and proudly, and to be able to make it into a work of art.
Gramas:. Unlike Mr. Hiranuma, I was honestly scared. . because I myself had not been exposed to skate culture or surf culture. . But as I researched the six icons, I learned a lot about their personalities and cultures, and it ended up being a very good experience.
Toyoda:Like Mr. Gramas, I am not a skater, but I have worn Vans shoes since I was a child, so I was genuinely happy. It's a rare opportunity to express skate culture through my own filter.
Hiranuma:Also, since the venue was displaying the art of our seniors, we were determined to create a work that would be as good as theirs. Because the three of us are young in our careers, we wanted to live up to the expectations of Vans.
What was the inspiration behind your work?
Hiranuma:. I drew the six faces in three chronological order: "now," "a few years ago," and "when I was young. . Therefore, the three people lined up vertically are the same person. . I also really wanted to create my favorite checkered flag work, so I asked him to let me draw it.
Gramas:I usually use ballpoint pens and watercolors to draw illustrations, but that method makes it difficult to get ink on the shoe boxes, so I painted on a sketchbook and stuck it on the boxes. . I dared to keep the colors bright to evoke the peaceful atmosphere of the "Green Room.
Toyoda:Studying the movements of skaters, I reproduced the dynamism of moving decks and fluttering hair by drawing with brushes and using a technique called "dripping," in which paint is blown off the surface. I usually use stars as a motif in my work, and this time I used foil stamping to express stars. . The frame is also white so that it can be easily displayed at home.
Do you have any thoughts or impressions after creating a work of art from discarded shoe boxes?
Hiranuma:. I thought it was interesting that the way of expression varies depending on the shoe box you choose. In my case, I tried to use a diagonal pattern or a solid color, depending on the person... It is interesting to change the side to be used.
Gramas:I agree with Mr. Hiranuma, and was surprised to see how even a shoe box looks different depending on the pattern chosen. When I saw Mr. Hiranuma's work, in which he skillfully inserted the shoe data, including sizes, into the box, I was interested and said, "I see what you mean.
Toyoda:. I remember when I was young and didn't have the money to buy a canvas, so I used to paint on cardboard. . and I discovered something new, that if you choose a shoe box that is not uneven, you can foil it beautifully.
I understand that in addition to your shoe box work, you also created a mosaic artwork using photographs.
Hiranuma:. As is typical of the Green Room, I drew illustrations inspired by surf culture and music. The composition of the artwork was such that customers could take photos on the spot and paste them on the wall to create a piece of art.
How many photos do you need?
Hiranuma:. about 300 pieces, I think. When you fill them all up, you get a surfer with a surf boat and a pile of "Vans" sneakers in the trunk of his car. The schedule was so tight that I almost cried (laughs), but I am glad to see that the guests actually participated and enjoyed themselves.
Lastly, please tell us about the models you are wearing today and the episode you had with "Vans".
Hiranuma:The "Old Skools" (left) I am wearing are from the "Anaheim Factory Collection," an updated version of the original model manufactured at the Anaheim factory in California when the company was founded in 1966. The "Vans" I have a special place in my heart for are the "Old Skools" with the red checkered flag on the tip that I found at a thrift store when I was in junior high school, when I first started liking fashion . When I bought it and brought it home, my grandmother praised it so much. I was so happy about that that I wore them until they were falling apart.
Gramas:Mine is the same model as Hiranuma's (photo right). They use "OrthoLite" in the insole, so they are very comfortable to walk in. One of my memories of "Vans" is that when I was 20 years old, my favorite pair of denim "Old School" sneakers were praised by adults who loved sneakers. I got them from a guy who runs a wholesale vintage clothing store, and they were a pretty rare model. I wore them out so much that I don't have them with me anymore (laughs).
Toyoda:This is the "Old School" from the sustainable line ECO THEORY (middle photo). . The design of the sole and the way the stitching is done is very innovative. My favorite pair of "Vans" were given to me by an art teacher who lives in California and is a good friend of my family. They are from the "VAULT" series, and the uppers are made of leather. They are casual yet elegant, and I still wear them with my set-up.
Gramas:By the way, the way you wear your shoes, Mr. Hiranuma , is very cool. You don't tie the laces, and they seem to fit loosely. I'm going to try wearing them with my heels on, too.
Hiranuma:You don't have to force me to be a character (laughs).
The trilogy of the three ended with this. The three, who all have different personalities and different ways of expressing their work, expressed their gratitude to the staff and store staff of VAN'S for selecting and preparing the beautiful shoe boxes in good condition.
This sustainable artwork was realized not only because of the output of the artists, but also because of the thoughts and processes of various people. We hope that their works will be passed on to people and cherished for a long time to come.
