Collaboration with HAROSHI on the theme of Keith is inevitable.
Taguchi:By the way, is it true about the rumor that when Keith tried to fly an ollie on Haroshi's work, he got scratched and got into a fight?
HAROSHI:No, that's not quite true. Maro (*Takamaro Kondo), a skater from Tokushima Prefecture, put the tail of his deck against my work on a fire hydrant and scratched it, and Keith happened to see it and was very furious.
Taguchi:I see that was the case. I did not know that (laughs). Now, could you tell us about this exhibition?
Eric:I have been going to Japan regularly for about 30 years, but this time I see it as the beginning of a new chapter for me, one that focuses on my outer and inner self. Now I am over 60 years old (albeit an old school person). My style and way of thinking have changed since the past, but I always want to keep a sense of freshness. So, inevitably, Keith is a theme now, and if I were to do it in Japan, I would collaborate with Haroshi.
HAROSHI:I have been saying for some time that I would like to do this project if the timing was right, and I am very honored to have this opportunity to be involved in this project. Moreover, we have collaborated with Taguchi-san and skaters from all over the world, and we would like to show you the work in person.
Taguchi:Can you tell us more about the work you collaborated on?
HAROSHI:The work is a collage of large circular skate decks. I asked Eric to make a skate deck for me, and he sent me three different kinds of decks, And one of them had "KEITH!!!! FOREVER!!!" message on them. I decided to make sure that skaters all over the world would be able to ride them. I collected them again and collaged them, taking into account the scratches and stickers on each one.
Taguchi:How did you go about creating this work with the jar and Haroshi's signature "guzo" motif on top?
HAROSHI:Actually, this vase was made from one that was sold on a flea market app. Eric did the drawing directly on it, and I put "GUZO" on top to complete the work. I think art for me is something like that. That is what art means to me.
Eric:As I said a little earlier, as you can see from these collaborations, I continue to challenge myself in ways that are different from my previous framework. When I was focused on design, I might not have had the mindset to turn these hand-drawn drawings into collaborative works. This large-scale exhibition embodies both sides of my life and work, so if the timing is right for you, please visit the exhibition.
Here is one of the pieces from the collaboration. It features handwritten lettering by Eric Hayes and the words "KEITH!!!! FOREVER!!!" message on each skate deck. The decks were given to skaters all over the world to skate on, and HAROSHI constructed a 3D work of art using the scratches and scars created by the skaters.
The skate deck sent to Taguchi-san for use has stickers of his own brand and friends.
Here is another collaborative work: Eric Hayes drew directly on the spot on a vase prepared by HAROSHI. The lid of the jar is decorated with HAROSHI's signature motif, "GUZO.
The new works incorporate the theme of this exhibition, "INSIDE OUT. The fine art works using symbols in the motif of stars and arrows, which are instantly recognizable as Haze's, and the figurative works, which he began to draw as if looking back on his life up to now, are lined up, and we recommend that you enjoy not only each of these works, but also the contrast between them.
Collaboration with and 3D works, which are rare for Haze, will also be exhibited and sold.
As he says, "I wanted to make a room for Hayes," he also sells a wide selection of goods, from T-shirts and cushions to glasses and pins.
