A set-up that can be worn without any elbow grease.
PROFILE
Born in 1980 in Saitama, Japan, he creates drawings, prints, and other two-dimensional works centered on B-BOY (break dancer) wood carvings. He will participate in the joint exhibition "EASTEAST_TOKYO 2023" at the Science Museum from February 17 and "MEET YOUR ART FAIR 2023 RE: FACTORY" at the Terada Warehouse from March 3. FACTORY" at Terada Warehouse from March 3.
Instagram: @takuobata
We had the opportunity to visit your studio in Tokorozawa, which you opened two years ago. You used to work at your parents' house.
Before this studio, I used a storage room in my parents' house as my studio. However, I rented this warehouse so that I can create several pieces at the same time, since I would run out of space to create other pieces if I had to make one life-size wood sculpture. This year, I want to concentrate on my production activities, so I plan to spend a whole year here to complete my wood sculptures.
The foot of Mr. Obata's work is calledChuck Taylor" motifI have the impression that you often wear "Converse" in your daily life. Do you actually wear "Converse" shoes on a regular basis?
I like the universal design and simple decorations, and have been wearing them since I started dancing in high school. I like the authenticity and also the anonymity of the sneakers, as if you can't tell where they are from at first glance. The lack of a logo statement makes them easy to match with anything.
Do you wear "Converse" when you dance?
Shoe choices change depending on the genre of dance, but I often wear them when break-dancing, because the simple style of the 80's B-boys and go well together. Compared to high-tech sneakers, the sole is not as thick, so I get the feeling of gripping the ground.
You wore a jacket and pants from "Chuck Taylor Clothing," the first high-end apparel collection from "Converse. What are your impressions of the set-up?
First of all, it is comfortable to wear. Plus, it's wool 100%, so it's classy. The boxy silhouette is also to my liking, right in the middle of the slim 80's B-Boy style and the relaxed 90's hip-hop sizing.
The pants are short so that the "Converse" sneakers look good.
Yes, they are 9' length and loosely tapered, so they go well with the high cut "Chuck Taylor".
The lining has double stitching and piping that is inspired by the upper seams and sole lines. There is also a "Player's Name" print on the collar.
You look as if you have been wearing this set-up for a long time.
Maybe it looks that way because I'm wearing a basic sweatshirt and a military-style watch cap that I usually wear. It's black so I can wear it without any fuss, and it looks like it would match with the clothes I have.
