Mutsumi Kagoshima is a sculptor who creates tableware and products that bring joy to everyday life. Following on from last year's highly acclaimed collaboration with Yumiko Iihoshi, his 2017 theme is "Meets." Kagoshima will be showcasing "Floro Drops," the second installment of his collaborative "Floro" series, which drew a great response. He will also be showcasing collaborative works born from his encounters with overseas artists. Where does his unconventional creativity come from? We visited his office in Fukuoka City to delve into its essence. ■Sometimes on a "journey to lose yourself" --This is your second collaboration with Iihoshi. Iihoshi said, "This time, I created tableware that is meant to be used every day. Kagoshima's designs are not only cute and fun, but also empower people." How was the collaboration?

Projects like this involve not only Iihoshi, but also Arita manufacturers... and from sculptors to mold makers, copyists, casters, and kilns, many different people are involved in different parts of the project, and it's a lot of fun working together.



With "Floro," the amount of money the artisans receive can be decided, and as I mentioned earlier, it is planned in a way that does not cause stress to the people involved. This makes the veteran craftsmen incredibly happy, generously pouring their skills and experience into the project, saying things like, "I'm going to a hot spring now" or "I can buy a toy for my grandchild." So, the project is constantly being refined.



This new, glossy teardrop-shaped piece was created under even less time than the previous one, and as a result, Iihoshi created the prototype from scratch, and I, with the craftsmen's permission, went to the site and re-carved it. It's not a matter of time; a successful project flows smoothly, like water flowing.


--This time, you also had the experience of collaborating with two very different international artists, Julian Sainsbury and Donna Wilson. How was that?

My relationship with Julian began when a friend and his wife were close friends and suggested that it would be fun to work together. We visited a workshop in the UK and created tableware with motifs of Britain's national animals, such as dragons, lions and swans, with the theme of everyday items that evoke a sense of warmth.





The appeal of this place is the rustic-style porcelain, which is made by hand, one piece at a time, using traditional techniques by artisans. Japan is a country of rapid technological innovation, so the key was finding a way to reconcile the quality we were looking for with the techniques that Julien and his team possessed. It was interesting to see the exchange of skills between the two parties, and that was also a "Meets."



I've known Donna for a long time and have been a fan of her cute, interesting, and fun designs. They're very unique, so it took some time to decide which parts of the project I should work on and how to divide up the responsibilities. Once I agreed that I'd provide the patterns and silhouettes, we were able to communicate quickly after that.



While making cushions, dolls and charms, she would easily do things that you would never think were possible, saying "I did it!" What's more, she would add her own touches using Donna's filter, and I was surprised at how well she managed them.




--You enjoy each new work and collaboration, and keep producing new output. In the midst of your busy days, what are some of the things or experiences that "Meets" you that help to increase your inspiration?



I think it all comes from everyday life. I always get my inspiration from natural formations like pebbles, the shapes of plants, interesting branches, and so on, but the same goes for drawings by children or the elderly. I often find myself asking, "Can I copy that?" (laughs).



When I go abroad, I can see the position and environment I'm in. That's very important, so I make an effort to lose sight of it just as much as I do to find it. I often joke about traveling to lose myself rather than searching for myself, but of course, if you keep outputting, you need input, so I try to lose a certain amount of myself and then put it back in again. Just like with places, the same goes for people. There are acquaintances I see once a year, and I sometimes suddenly solve a mystery I thought about a year ago. In that sense, I have these "Meets." every day, and I cherish them.


>>First half: "Unravelling the source of Kagoshima Mutsumi's creativity: 'Meets.-Iihoshi Yumiko & Kagoshima Mutsumi' Exhibition [INTERVIEW--1/2]."

>>Tableware with space to enrich your life. What is Meets by tableware artist Iihoshi Yumiko? "Meets.- Iihoshi Yumiko & Kagoshima Mutsumi Exhibition" [INTERVIEW]

[Event Information]
"Meets.- Iihoshi Yumiko & Kagoshima Mutsumi Exhibition"
Dates: March 29th - April 11th
Venue: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building, 5th floor, Center Park/The Stage #5

The first installment will feature the second installment of "Floro," a collaborative work with Iihoshi Yumiko that received a great response following last year's. The second installment will feature collaborative works with an overseas artist living in the UK.


From March 29th to April 4th
- "Floro Drop", a collaborative piece by ceramic artists Yumiko Iihoshi and Makoto Kagoshima

From April 5th to April 11th
- Tableware by Makoto Kagoshima and John & Julian Sainsbury
- Cushions, dolls, and charms by Makoto Kagoshima and Donna Wilson

前田 亜礼