A photograph is a record of what you see as you see it. Art is the realization of an idea in your mind.

It has been exactly one year since your last visit to Japan. First of all, could you tell us a little bit about Ed?

Ed.I started skating in 1985 and have been skating professionally with the support of many skate companies since then. I founded the skate company "TOY MACHINE" in 1993, and I've been involved in design as a director, taking pictures, immersing myself in art, traveling, and spending my time until now.

Ed is not only a skater, but also an active artist in the fields of drawing and photography. Of all the works you have done, your masterpiece "Transistor Sect" is particularly impressive. Could you tell us how this character came to be?

Ed.When I go on a skating trip, I get bored because the bus ride goes on and on for hours. Usually one of the crew members will start to doodle, and everyone will spontaneously join in, or just pass the time by laughing and sharing their thoughts. Transistor Sect" is a character that came about by accident.

I had no idea that the famous character was born out of a doodle I made in my spare time. It's amazing. Now, he has become a symbolic character of Ed and Toy Machine, hasn't he?

Ed.I painted "Transistor Sect" on a skate deck I made, just like Gonz (*Mark Gonzalez) was doing at the time. I sold those decks at some stores, and the response was more than I expected. This event led me to start Toy Machine. I started the brand in 1993.

So, art was the catalyst for the birth of Toy Machine. This is a very Ed-like episode.

Ed.My artwork can be divided into two main categories. One is the artwork I provide to Toy Machine. The other is free hand drawings. They have different motivations, and I distinguish them as completely different things.

Is there a difference between design work and creative art? By the way, is there any difference between art and photography that you are aware of?

Ed.Art is the realization of an idea I have in my head. Photography, on the other hand, is a record of what I see as I see it. It is a more realistic way of expression. It is important in my lifestyle to maintain just the right balance between the two.

I see that there is also a clear difference in consciousness. So how do you spend your daily routine?

Ed.: It depends on the day, of course, but basically, after I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is sit down in front of my PC and import and edit the photos I took the day before. Then, when I get bored, I go out to walk the dog and take pictures of the outside at my leisure, or draw pictures in my work space at home. When I'm busy working on my brand, I sometimes give priority to that.

So, art making and photography have become a part of your life. By the way, have you been skating lately?

Ed.I broke my leg in a skate demo five years ago. (showing an x-ray taken with his cell phone) I landed badly when I did a trick and put a lot of pressure on my foot... I had to put a lot of bolts in my foot because of it. Since then, I haven't been able to skate much. I do go cruising with my friends once in a while. But now I paint and take pictures. All of these activities are possible because of skating for me.

Everyday objects naturally lead to artworks and creations.

Nowadays, there are many skaters who have different means of expression from skating, such as photography, art, and music. For Ed, it was great to be close to the pioneers of the "Beautiful Loosers" (a street art movement based on the D.I.Y. spirit that originated from the "ALLEGED GALLERY" in East Village, NY). Was it a big part of Ed's life?

Ed.I think that's right. Gonz is still an absolute presence, and having Thomas Campbell, Chris Johansson, Harmony Korine, and so many others around me from that time on who I could share my creations with was very stimulating and a good influence. There is no place like the "Arranged Gallery" anymore.

When did you start taking pictures?

Ed.I've been taking pictures since I started skating myself, but I was drawn to the crazy lifestyle of many skaters as I spent time with them every day, and I wanted to capture it. I was attracted to their crazy lifestyle, and I wanted to capture it in my film. I just enjoyed being with them skating, partying every night, drinking, and making a lot of noise. I didn't drink or smoke, so I probably looked like a boring guy to people around me (laughs).

I guess that's why I was able to look at skaters from a bird's eye view. By the way, I heard that you are working on a film focusing on these skaters in the near future. Is the project in progress?

Ed.I'm talking about "Wires Crossed". I'm in the process of putting together a photo book of all the skaters I've photographed over the years. All of them have never been published before. It will probably be the culmination of my career.

That is something to look forward to. Speaking of Ed's photographs, there have been many conceptual works such as the "TEENAGE SMOKERS" series and "LICK". Did you have a concept or something in mind beforehand?

Ed.No, in fact, I often decide on the concept of each photo after I have taken it. Photographs are just a way for me to document what I find interesting, and there is no strong message in them. In the case of "TEENAGE SMOKERS," I was told by people around me that "there are a lot of pictures of teenagers smoking cigarettes in Ed's photos," and I took that as a hint when I made this one (laughs). I often find that things in my daily life naturally become my works and creations, so I don't always realize it myself.

Ed's wife is a photographer, which is probably a big part of the reason why his creations were naturally influenced by things in his daily life.

Ed.I think that might be the case. Deanna is also releasing a new photo book during her visit to Japan. Deanna and I always talk and discuss photography over dinner. We also take pictures of each other as we walk around town. Sometimes we take pictures of the same thing, and we fight because of it (laughs).

I want to share my work with as many people as possible.

Whenever Ed visits Japan, he posts various photos of Japan on Instagram with the hashtag #edo_in_japan.

Ed.I went to Osaka this time, and there were many deep spots that were different from those in Tokyo. This time we also went to Osaka, which has many deep spots that are different from those in Tokyo. I especially enjoyed Shinsekai area, even though it smelled a little dangerous.

#DAILYHBPIERPHOTO EXHIBITION BY ED TEMPLETON" is the main event of your visit to Japan.

Ed.I think it is wonderful to be able to show my work in Japan and in many other countries. In my case, I want to share my work with as many people as possible, especially in Japan, which is a very special country for me. Japan is a very special country for me. Recently, the number of vegan restaurants has been increasing, and there are many places like Kyoto, Asakusa, and Kamakura where you can feel the cultural background. Kamakura in particular has a similar atmosphere to my hometown of Huntington Beach, and I would love to live there someday.

The theme of this year's exhibition is also Huntington Beach, which is a place that Ed has a connection with.

Ed.: Yes, that's right. I was inspired to share my photos of Huntington Beach, where I was born and grew up and still live, with people by adding a hashtag to them. Some of the photos in the show are recent and some were taken decades ago.

Is there a reason why you haven't left Huntington Beach?

Ed.I thought about moving to LA where many of my friends live, but I like the atmosphere of Huntington Beach because it's where I was born and raised, and it's close to the ocean. Now I have a big house with an atelier attached, and rent is expensive in LA, so it's hard to live in a big house, right? In the end, it's best to live where it fits your lifestyle.

This time, you made not only photographs but also new drawings and collaborative T-shirts.

Ed.I made a T-shirt with a drawing I wrote for this event printed on it. I hope that by coming to this event, people will have a better understanding of who I am. I am happy to meet new people through these exhibitions and events.

Lastly, could you give a message to Ed's fans, skaters, photographers, and artists in Japan?

Ed.I don't know if I'm communicating this well.... I don't know if this will come across well, but if you don't steer your ship of your own volition, you can't go through the ocean, can you? Now that we have the Internet, you have to present your opinions more. It doesn't matter if it's on Instagram or in a zine. Especially nowadays, I think there are many young people in Japan who really want to make a career out of photography. Everyone may be hoping to have their own solo show in a big gallery someday, but it took me about 10 years to get there. Until then, I exhibited at small coffee stands on street corners, my friends' clothing stores, my acquaintances' ateliers, and wherever I was asked. I was not the type of person who only exhibited at skate stores! Maybe it was because I was not the type of person who only exhibits in skate shops. But it is important to get many people's attention first. From there, the possibilities will expand.