IORI KIKUCHI

INDEX

CHAPTER 1: Everlasting Memories

CHAPTER 2: My Work and Its Goals

CHAPTER 3: Art and I / You and I

JAPANESE

Chapter 2 My Work and Its Goals

What I want to convey through my art, and what artistic success means to me? −−I would like to create work that cannot be produced by others who lived in another era. In other words, I would like to create something REAL.

REAL

The act of creating takes a lot of time and energy. But it is filled with something that makes time unimportant and doesn't exhaust me. It actually rejuvenates me. Something is created that is irreplaceable and precious. Art has the power to make someone happy, to move someone's heart, to heal someone's soul. Art can also change the world, as it is the best way to promote mutual understanding that goes way beyond cultural differences. I love this world of expression, which enables me to interact with others.           

However, the more I paint, the more I feel that my work betrays me, or I betray myself and my work. This is a large part of what painting is all about. I find that I have the same descriptive power as those kids around me who are also good at drawing or painting. For me, as an art student, this is a natural state to be in. My idea about painting is that, although a painting that is done with professional skill and technical perfection is physically a painting, it is not necessarily a real painting, in an abstract or imaginative sense. 

If you can take an image in your mind and turn it into a picture as it is, you can create something amazing. I always want to make such a painting. But sometimes, the images in our brains are vague. The moment I paint it, the moment I trace the world as I see it, the result is no longer the real thing anymore. I am detached from the REAL that spreads out in front of me when I capture the scenery and present it in the painting. But the painter is always in control. The painter feels the atmosphere of the place, the sense of an 'other' existence of something or someone there. 

Therefore, I want to be a painter who can paint the REAL someday. By the time I am able to paint such a painting, my name will be written in art history. This is something that even famous artists strive for. Not everyone achieves it. I want to be someone who does, while I am still alive. If the day comes when I can give form to the REAL, which I cannot comprehend now, or even try to understand how that can be done, then I will become a true painter. I wish I could achieve this. 

RARE

The more I paint an image or an idealized image in my mind; the more my painting in front of me betrays it. But there is the REAL that can only come from there. Painting is an endless activity. 

An Irish poet and playwright, Oscar Wilde, said as follows; "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all." Every single day I feel the beauty around me, which cannot be completely described in words. Should I verbalize it in my native language or a second language? Before I think about this, I would like to express my feelings of beauty by painting or creating.

This feeling is what makes me hold a brush. I am sure of this because I want to convey it, and I want it to last as a form. I try to open my eyes wide and see the beauty that is usually overlooked. Every day is full of color and wonder. As a result, I do not feel myself just being. When I have this desire to express myself, I think I am alive. Therefore, according to Wilde's words, I must be a rare entity. Every single day has meaning, no matter how monotonous or small. Even if only one beautiful or interesting thing happens, that is already a wonder for me. But I know that there is sometimes a dreadful ugliness behind the beauty of the world, for there are two sides to every coin. 

I do not wish to exist and disregard the ugliness and beauty of this world. I want to keep believing in myself no matter what and continue writing my own story because I live now, not only existing. If there is only one thing that I find beautiful or exciting, it is a miracle. I do not want to be in a state of just existing for no reason. That is why I think wide open and notice something every day, and want to tell someone about it.

As an artist, I want to look at many things carefully, think about them, and express them. I want to engage someone through art, as soon as possible, because I am living now, not only existing. The way I can shout that "I am here" is through my artwork. No matter what kind of art you create, there are pieces of you present. I think the foundation of art is created when you can express your passions and then give yourself the gratitude of living and satisfying yourself. The next step is to enrich your family, friends, and lovers. Finally, you work hard and think broadly, and then you can reach out to all others to make them happy with your art. This person is truly an artist. This is what makes me truly happy, which is why I want to keep creating. I want to keep doing this. I want to share a space in front of my artwork with others. This is what I expect from my works.

My Goal as an Artist 

"How did she draw this?" "Why can she make such a color?" "What does she want to convey?" −−Artists can create artworks that raise these kinds of questions in the audience or even passersby and give time to see the artworks to them. Artists can provide a simple and leisurely moment to look at artworks for those living their busy life. Artists can leave behind memories that are visually imprinted in mind. Artists can meet many people through his or her paintings. My goal as an artist is to become an artist like the above example. If people are alive, their wounds will heal and recover after a few years, and their memories fade away. I want to be someone who can face this REAL and express it without lying. I want to be someone who can share REAL.