03 Yoshiaki Takahashi / Model
PROFILE
. Born in 1989. Former Men's Non-No model. Studied architecture at university, and currently works as an artist while modeling for fashion magazines and advertisements. She is a member of BE NATURAL, and has a studio and gallery "EFAG CSS" in Kasai with other artists of the same generation, where she holds exhibitions on an irregular basis.
Instagram:@efag.css
Social networking is not an absolute requirement.
. I thought it was unusual for someone like you, an artist and a model, not to have an Instagram.
Yes . As an individual, I don't think I need to do social networking. People often say to me, "You're a model, but you don't do social networking? It's a waste of time and money," but it is not an absolute requirement to use social networking services. I understand what they mean, but for me, it is not a waste.
What is it about social networking that you don't like?
I haven't always been able to fit in. It's like an extension of that feeling, like when I was a kid I liked to play tag more than games. . When everyone else would play games, I would go home and play basketball by myself. . Even without social networking, the world in front of me is full of information, and I'm happy with that.
You don't have to have something to say.
Do you have a message you want to convey through your work as an artist?
. I don't have anything in particular that I want to convey. . so I thought that I might as well just make the work and not exhibit it. . In fact, the exhibition has been empty for more than two years. However, when I saw the works of the people who exhibited here at the gallery, I was empowered, and I was able to reconfirm that exhibiting is genuinely enjoyable. So, now I feel like exhibiting.
What kind of works are you working on now?
. I am careful to avoid consciously creating something that I want to convey. . I want the work to come from the outside, not from within me. There is no need for me to have something I want to convey. At the moment, it is a mess, but I think it would be great if I could present it as it is.
You graduated from university with a degree in architecture, right? What was the reason why you did not go down that path?
When I was a sophomore undergraduate student, I had an assignment to build an architecture department building on the university grounds, and after thinking about it a lot, I decided that it would be better not to build anything. But then I wouldn't get any credits. I was afraid that I couldn't choose not to build it. It didn't become my job, but I love architecture, so now I am making my own choice not to build through renovations to my home and studio.
What are you interested in now?
This past year I read more books than I have ever read in my life. Recently, I have enjoyed all the design-related books that I have read.
I want to respond to the fact that you went out of your way to offer it to me.
How do you view your work as a model?
. Speaking of social networking, since I don't do it, I think it's hard to measure in numbers. Since I don't do social networking, I think it is difficult to measure my performance in terms of numbers.
. Indeed, today you suggested photographing the river near your studio.
. I was afraid of it, though (laughs). When you are a model, you sometimes discover that you are seen in this way. I sometimes lose track of the boundary between my public and private life.
Speaking of image, how do you feel about MUJI?
The image is easy on the eyes and the body. I also like the visuals in advertisements, etc. . There's also an impression of folk art.
What kind of T-shirts do you usually wear?
. In the past few years, I have been interested in local things at tourist attractions. I visited a Holocaust monument in Berlin once, and everyone was enjoying taking pictures there. I started to think about whether that was wrong or not, and that is how I came to like local things. I am a tourist myself, you know.
Also, I am still concerned about the size. I move around a lot when I do my work, so I prefer something larger.
Thick jersey knit T-shirt with pockets 990 yen
This heavyweight T-shirt is knitted tightly with thick yarn, and is recommended for summer as it has a dry touch that does not stick to the skin. The slightly wide silhouette and the fabric's bouncy feel make it look great even when worn alone. The pockets for storing small items are also useful for daily use.
Other items worn
French linen pants: ¥3,990
French linen washed stand-up collar shirt: ¥2,990
