We want to deliver interesting things to the world.
Kouhei Mizumura
After working as the product MD of "BEAMS T", he became the director in 2018. He has been disseminating culture through T-shirts and exhibition projects centered on collaborations with artists in Japan and abroad. He leads BEAMS T as a platform that brings art into daily life.
How did you start this project?
Mizumura: This year marks the 50th anniversary of BEAMS, and each label decided to set off big fireworks. We at BEAMS T wanted to do something different to mark this milestone. That's when "GALLERY TARGET.
You are a well-established gallery also based in Harajuku.
Mizumura: Yes, we have. In the past, we have worked with artists belonging to "GALLERY In the past, we have worked with artists belonging to "GALLERY TARGET," such as Yusuke Hanai, Yu Nagaba, and Nigel Graff, individually, but we have never done anything together with a gallery that unites artists. However, we have something in common in that we share a common culture through art in the same city of Harajuku.
We have been in the same city and seen the same scenery, so there seems to be some resonance between us.
Mizumura: However, even though we deal with the same art, the fields in which we stand are different from each other. While GALLERY TARGET“ is truly in the art business, while we introduce unique artists and works through the filter of ”fashion. There was a time when I asked myself if there was any way to bridge the gap between the two.
And now, on the occasion of the anniversary, you have joined hands with them.
Mizumura: The difference in fields may be significant. However, our core desire to deliver interesting things to the world is the same. That is why Mr. Mizuno of "GALLERY Mr. Mizuno of "Target" gave me the title "COMMON GROUND. I felt like everything I wanted to say really came down to this phrase, and when I heard it, I felt like it was the beginning of everything.
I wanted to deliver the essence of the exhibition, so I decided to do it with a well-established gallery. I think this is an initiative that can only be done because of the anniversary. From the other side, people may think, "It's the same thing again," but from our point of view, it's completely different. We have them create a special work of art for this event, exhibit and sell it, and even sell T-shirts. This is a new and unprecedented experiment.
The 10 artists who participated in this year's exhibition were asked to create works on the theme of "BEAMS," right?
Mizumura: When we were trying to decide what kind of artists to select, we wanted to ask those who have a connection with us, and that is how we ended up with the lineup we have here. Each of the works captures "BEAMS" from a different angle, and I think there is a lot of variety in them.
What are some of the highlights?
Mizumura: Of course, you can get the T-shirts, but I still want you to come and see the artwork. They were created especially for this event and can only be seen here. I think you can feel the artists' breath when you see the actual artwork. I would be happy if you could experience both the charm of the T-shirts, which you can take home with you, and the intensity of the artwork, which you can only experience at the venue.
