Interview with Takeo Hirose

Takeo Hirose ("TH") interviewed on Saturday, 2 May.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

TH : Ⅰ started studying photography by myself, in earnest in 2011. Since then, I have attended many international exhibitions and won prizes at international contests, as follows; Exhibition 2015 New York Art Fair (USA). 2015 Stockholm Art Book Fair (Sweden) 2015 Seoul Art Book Fair (South Korea) 2016 Art Book Fair Basel (Switzerland) 2017 Quoz Arts Fest and GPP Photo Week (Dubai) 2019 “Japan Photo Award Exhibition” of KYOTOGRAPHIE KG+ 2019 2019 Solo Exhibition at Gallery 25N 2019 Praxis Gallery "Mono - Kromatik" Prize 2013 JPS (Japan professional photographers association prize), honorable mention 2014 JPS (Japan professional photographers association prize), honorable mention 2017 International Photography Awards, honorable mention (2 works) 2018 International Photography Awards, honorable mention 2018 National Geographic, Photo of the Day, September 19 2019 5th Fine art Photography Awards, fine art category, Nominee 2019 “B&W” competition of AAP Magazine #6, 3rd prize 2019 Moscow International Foto Awards, 1 Silver award, 1 honorable mention 2019 Call for Solo exhibition at Gallery 25N, Winner. The Christopher E. Burke Fine Art Grant 2019 Mono - Kromatik by Praxis Gallery, Director's choice award 2019 International Photography Awards, honorable mention (2 works) 2019 ND Awards, honorable mention (2 works) 2020 6th Fine art Photography Awards, fine art, landscape, conceptional, Nominee (3 works)

How did you become a designer?

TH : In 2011, Japan suffered from the huge earthquake disaster. Through the earthquake I understood that the beautiful sceneries are not eternal but actually very fragile, and noticed the importance of taking photos of the Japanese beauty. That is the main reason to become a photographer.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

TH : My production concept is to express the beauty of Japan using traditional motifs of Japanese painting, using the current camera and development technology. I think my style is design-oriented, simple and quiet.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

TH : When I create ny works, I feel quiet excitement.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

TH : I have been working for a food company for a long time, during which I have visited and stationed in many countries such as Latin America, Africa and China. As my experience abroad increased, I became aware of the beauty of Japan and its rarity, and the desire to introduce the beauty of Japan to the world has become stronger.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

TH : The next future plan is to hold a solo exhibition at galleries in the US and Europe. Eventually, my dream is to have my works stored in famous museums around the world and added to the collections of overseas collectors.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

TH : I think that taking a lot of pictures, developing them, seeing various art works of various genres and getting various inspirations will be useful for future creative activities.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

TH : I suggest to apply for more photo contests around the world. If you do so, you will be aware of the level of photography in the world, and if you can win the prize, your perspective will broaden so much. Meanwhile, in today's era when everybody is taking photos and instantly uploading them to SNS, it is an important task for professionals to think about how to add value to their works.

What is your day to day look like?

TH : I usually commute to the office for work, and develop and print my work at night. On weekends, I spend time shooting and developing.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

TH : I can see trends by looking at popular works on photo sharing sites. You can also see such trends in photo contests. I will use trends as a reference, but I avoid imitating them as they are. I think I should value originality.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

TH : I feel good when I see the works that I did well. No matter how many times I see a well-made work, there is no feeling of strangeness or catching.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

TH : I usually review the developed works again the next day and fix the parts I noticed. It is complete when there is no place to repeat this for several days.

What is your biggest design work?

TH : The first monochrome work of bamboo forest is the most important work for me. This work inflated my imagination and gave me a chance to create a series.

Who is your favourite designer?

TH : Among the photographers, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Andreas Gursky, and old famaous Japanese painters such as Hokusai, Hasegawa Tohaku, Ogata Korin, Ito Jakuchu are the source of my inspirations.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

TH : I was born in Kyoto, so Kyoto is my favorite place. There are many beautiful places of bamboo forests all over Japan, and I am looking forward to visiting them. Also I can meet various beautiful sceneries of night festivals that light up the bamboo forest in various places in Japan.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

TH : I believe creating works of the beautiful bamboo forests of the country would help to tourism of its location.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

TH : The main advantage is that my work can be seen by so many people in the design industry. Also, I think that my business level is improving by responding to various requests by the competition office through applications and winnings.

Takeo Hirose Profile