Three artists and three colors of G-Shock, spun by a young photographer. | feature

3 Artists wear 3 G-SHOCK.

Three artists and three colors of G-SHOCK spun by a young photographer.

“The DW-5600, a model that inherits the DNA of G-Shock, is now available in basic black and white, as well as a yellow color that stands out with a pop of color. The matte finish gives the new model a calm and clean look. We asked three artists who are close friends with photographer Misato Matsufuji to wear these three colorful items. How does this model fit in with their creative process? Misato Matsufuji follows them.

Photo_Miri Matsufuji
Text_Yuichiro Tsuji
Edit_Hiroshi Yamamoto

Vol.01 Letterboy with Yellow.

."I met Peter, aka Letterboy, at a zine fair. We have mutual acquaintances, and I guess we often meet through those friends. Peter gave me the opportunity to start looking at such works as art, because there were no people around me who used letters to express art. On his Instagram, he uploads videos of how he creates his works, and it is really interesting to see that kind of thing. I wonder if I could do it myself. I think so, but I bet it would be difficult.

DW-5600CU-9JF ¥12,000+TAX

Where are you from, Letterboy?

letterboySweden.

When did you start calligraphy/hand lettering?

letterboyI started about 8 years ago and gradually honed my skills. I originally studied graphic design at university. After graduation, I worked in design, but that wasn't enough for me. One day, I saw some calligraphy works on the Internet and decided to try it myself.

How do you decide on a word as a motif?

letterboyThe content differs between what I take on as work and what I create as my own work. In my own work, I am inspired by what I am interested in, what I am thinking about, and what I think is unique.

I watch a lot of films, I have always loved basketball, so I get inspiration from that, and I am currently practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which is another of my interests. I am also interested in politics and religion, and I sometimes reflect what I learn from them in my work.

“What kind of image do you have of G-SHOCK?

letterboy“I still clearly remember when G-SHOCK first came to Sweden. It was probably the end of the 80s or the beginning of the 90s. The design and design was different from conventional watches, and it completely changed my previous values. Some of my friends were wearing them.

What was your impression of the model you were asked to wear this time?

letterboyI usually don't wear bright colors that pop, so this was a new experience for me. My original image of "G-SHOCK" was a bit more rugged. It was voluminous and somewhat masculine. But this model is compact and simple in design. That's why I think it fits my style.

Vol.02 Yuri Hasegawa with Black.

."I first met Yurippe when we exhibited our works together at a group exhibition. After that, we worked together at zine fairs and deepened our friendship. I used to draw pictures with a lot of black, but somehow I became an artist who makes character stuffed animals(?) with felt. I like Yurippei. My favorite is Yurippe's exquisite choice of characters. My personal favorite is the one based on Pharrell Williams. His face doesn't look like him at all, but I can tell it's Pharrell just by looking at his hat (laughs). She is very good at capturing the characteristics of the characters.

DW-5600LCU-1JF ¥13,000+TAX

When did you start making works with felt?

HasegawaI started in 2014. I was wondering if I could exhibit something at Ken Kagami's "Strange Store". At that time, I brought a painting with a Simpsons motif, and Mr. Kagami said, "Why don't you make a doll as well? That's how my style evolved into what you see today.

Have you always done things like sewing?

HasegawaI had never done this at all (laughs). When I was in elementary school, I remember my mother occasionally making dolls like this out of leftover cloth, but I never did anything serious myself. I just followed my mother's example.

What kind of characters are you creating now?

HasegawaThis is Bruce Willis from the movie Armageddon. Whenever I decide on a motif, I always look for something interesting on the Internet. If I find one that I think would be interesting, I choose it and make it. That's why "Armageddon" just happened by chance (laughs).

“Have you ever worn a G-SHOCK?

HasegawaI used to wear it all the time when I was a student. In fact, I still use Casio watches. G-Shock watches are easy to buy and durable. That's why I think G-Shock is the best fit for me. The design is simple, which is also attractive.

What did you think of the black "G-SHOCK" you were asked to wear this time?

HasegawaThe dial is easy to read. It is not heavy or bulky. This makes it easy for girls to wear. Also, the color scheme on the back side of the belt is cute. It's also nice that it creates a casually fashionable mood.

Vol.03 Joji Nakamura with White.

."I met Joji five or six years ago. Ken Kagami introduced me to him. At that time, I was also exhibiting in a group exhibition, and Kagami and Joji were the organizers of that exhibition. Now we hold zine fairs together, go out for drinks, and have been friends for a long time. Joji's works are abstract paintings, so they are not something that can be immediately understood at a glance, but when I look at them, I think they are very cool. He also uploads his works on Instagram, and I think his attitude of always creating works is really wonderful.

DW-5600CU-7JF ¥12,000+TAX

Do you have some kind of concept for your works?

NakamuraI do not have a concept. However, when I create a piece of work, I try to complete it before thinking about it in my head. My only style is to start work without thinking, and stop before any calculations or sexuality are revealed.

When is completion decided?

NakamuraThat is the most difficult and important point, but I don't really understand it myself. In order to catch it, I do drawings almost every day. When I am drawing, there is a moment when I think, "Ah, I've done it," so I am practicing to catch that feeling now. I have made mistakes when I have made modifications to the finished product, so I think it is important to have a sense of not letting that happen. I think it is difficult for the viewer to understand (laughs).

When I am painting, I am almost always in a state of "nothingness.

NakamuraI don't think about anything. If I am conscious of it, it becomes too formal, and I end up trying to get the attention of the audience. I also don't make works when I have been drinking. When I paint when I am in a drunken mood, I think at the time that I have done a great job, but when I wake up in the morning, it is often not good at all. It is a waste of paint and paper, so I have decided not to do it when I have been drinking.

“Do you have an image of G-SHOCK?

NakamuraI wore one when I was a teenager. It was the first watch I bought because I wanted one. I think it was the "Madman" watch. Because of those memories, G-Shock was a cool watch for me. I still have that impression.

How about the white "G-SHOCK" you wore this time?

NakamuraThe only word that comes to mind is "cool. It's the successor to the model that Keanu Reeves wore in "Speed," isn't it? I remember it because it was an impressive model.

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Three artists and three colors of G-SHOCK spun by a young photographer.

Vol.01 Letterboy with Yellow.

Vol.02 Yuri Hasegawa with Black.

Vol.03 Joji Nakamura with White.