If only it could be a space where people could connect with each other.
Tangerine's mandarin orange juice will be available in a special weekend edition starting August 21, right? Why are you selling mandarin orange juice at this pop-up?
Great North:It's kind of interesting, isn't it? Our staff members were originally good friends with Tangerine, and they were interested in us as well. Shoko Otake (SHOKO OTAKE), who is participating in the exhibition, actually introduced us to the company and drew the label for us. It was made in a special package for this exhibition, so I thought it would not look out of place in the space.
Sato:It's interesting. The development of mandarin orange juice is something I had not imagined at all. I was surprised when Mr. Ohkita first told me (laughs).
Great North:We are also developing products by Shino, and I felt that they would fit the space of this pop-up. I think the space will be lively, and it will be something that can be enjoyed not only by buying, but also by just looking at. People who come to "Salt & Pepper" to buy Shino's products are often surprised to learn that "Salt & Pepper" is a store owned by someone from the "Vinyl Archive. That's refreshing.
By the way, is the lineup of the eight participating artists exactly the same as when you were planning to hold the festival in London before?
Sato:It's a little different.
Great North:I thought a lot about holding the exhibition at BEAMS T HARAJUKU and how to match the space to be created. I thought about who I wanted to convey straight to the public, and the result is the lineup that I have created this time. Diaspora Skateboards" is also available at "BEAMS T," isn't it?
Conversely, were there any artists you had trouble deciding on as candidates for this year's competition?
Great North:I was also in contact with Hetty (artist Hetty Douglas), but it didn't look like we could come to an agreement on terms this time, so we'll have to do it another time.
Sato:We decided not to do it this time, but when we thought about incorporating the style of Hetty Douglas into a T-shirt, we were concerned that it might look a little out of place if we asked BEAMS T to do it alone. We thought it would make sense for us to work with Salt & Pepper.
Great North:It seemed difficult, so we switched to discussing the possibility of having her hold a solo exhibition and doing something together as is. As we were confirming the conditions, I thought the conversation had drifted away, but then I read in Hetty's profile that she was planning to hold a solo exhibition at "Salt & Pepper" in 2022. Oh, she was going to do it (laughs). (Laughs.) I would like to consult with "BEAMS T" again at that time.
There are many different kinds of artists.
Sato:At BEAMS T, we have been incorporating a variety of art and graphics into our T-shirts under the theme of "ART FOR EVERYDAY," but I feel that the bar for commissioning artists has recently been raised a bit.
Great North:Personally, I think that printing art on a T-shirt is like a business card. We also publish art books and deal in artworks, but it is difficult for us to afford to do so.
Mr. Ohkita personally handled not only the artworks but also the layout of the zines, and the setup continued after the closing of BEAMS T Harajuku until 2:00 a.m.
I'm looking forward to seeing the T-shirts and other apparel products from "BEAMS T".
Great North:Since this is a pop-up store held at BEAMS T Harajuku, we have developed many apparel products with the understanding of the participating artists. However, this is not simply an event that offers art goods, but a space where you can experience art, so I hope you will pay attention to that as well. I think that both fans of "BEAMS T" and regular visitors to "Salt and Pepper" will enjoy this event. I hope that people who don't usually visit galleries will also experience the appeal of art.
Sato:Yes, there will be T-shirts and other items as well as artwork on display and for sale, and we hope that those who come will check out both the art and the items.
Great North:For this pop-up, we were able to create the space thanks to the cooperation of so many people, including the creation of fixtures. This time around, we were able to expand our ideas and realize some of them. I would be happy if through events like this, it becomes more than just seeing artists' works or buying items, but something that connects people to each other.
