While viewing the space, I picked up titles that fit its mood.
I think many people have reconfirmed what is important to them during the period of self-restraint.
Shimoda:Yes, I love this place. I come to visit when there are events here, and I am close friends with the owner, Mr. Hamada. My friendships are also connected with this place, and it is a space where everyone can easily get together. That is why I hold my exhibitions here.
I heard that you met Mr. Minami of "Graph Paper" here.
Shimoda:That's right. We had never met before, but when Mr. Minami came for a private coffee, we happened to be holding an exhibition. He had a poster of the exhibition posted at the entrance of the store, and that's how he got to know us. That's how we got to know each other, and that's how we decided to collaborate this time. It seems that Mr. Minami has been listening to SILENT POETS' music for a long time.
I heard that "Graph Paper" basically only makes plain T-shirts, and if they want to put something on them, they have a policy of using T-shirts of people they respect.
Shimoda:It is a very gratifying story.
How did the collaboration progress?
Shimoda:I had my design printed on a T-shirt made by "Graph Paper. They told me to do as I pleased (laughs).
Graphpaper × POET MEETS DUBWISE ¥15,000+TAX
T-shirt with the word "Fate" from SILENT POETS' 7th album "SUN" on the front, available exclusively at "Graph Paper Kyoto" opening on Saturday, June 20. In addition to the gray color shown in the photo, black and white are also available.
Poetry (from the song "Poetry in the echo" from the 1st mini-album "6 Pieces"), Wonder (from the 7th album "SUN"), For Nothing (album title and song from the 5th album "For Nothing"), and Future (song from the 7th album "SUN")". Each of the four T-shirts was sold out at Aoyama, Hibiya, Sendai, and Graphpaper Framework.
The title printed on the front is one of the titles you have released in the past under the "Silent Poets" label, isn't it?
Shimoda:That's right. This series has been a staple of the brand since its inception, and it is also a motif that symbolizes "Poet Meets DUBWISE," so I thought it would be easy to understand. So I prepared several patterns and presented them to them, and they responded, "Let's do them all. In my mind, I had assumed that they would choose a few (laughs).
What criteria did you use to select the titles?
Shimoda:Once I was allowed to visit the store, I looked at the space and picked up music that would fit the mood. The rest is simply a matter of what fits the design. It could be the length or the font. Personally, I chose words that would resonate when I put them out now.
The back prints are also arranged in a way that is typical of POET MEETS DUBWISE, aren't they?
Shimoda:It's a simple graphic, but when you put them together, it becomes one design. I thought the combination was interesting. I have always liked the design of the back, and I like the balance of the simple front and the messy back. So I am particular about the back, and I want to make it interesting.
The coloring of the body is also exquisite and overlaps with the sound image of "SILENT POETS".
Shimoda:I simply like this kind of ink-like color, which is a little bit removed from black.
This body was originally made by "Graph Paper" and has a slightly larger silhouette. Did you think about how to put graphics on such a form?
Shimoda:When I saw it for the first time, I thought, "Wow, it's huge" (laughs). (Laughs) However, the size of the prints and the design I usually make go well together. The prints are the same size as the plates I usually make. I feel that the margins were really utilized by placing them on the large body.
SILENT POETS and POET MEETS DUBWISE are both your personal projects, but do you feel a sense of accomplishment through these collaborations?
Shimoda:Silent Poets" is also my solo project, but when I do it with a band, various musicians are involved, and in this collaboration, I am not a fashion specialist, so it seems that we complement each other in what we lack.
By being involved with various people in this way, new things are born that did not exist before, and new sensations are created that I am also aware of. Therefore, I always want to be involved with others in my work.
