TAKU : The Fusion of Visual Art and Japanese Culture
Step into the world of visual art with TAKU, an artist whose evocative creations resonate with the essence of musical imagery and Japanese culture. For nearly five years, TAKU has illuminated the art scene with his captivating visuals, channeling his passion into a full-time profession for the past two years.
Drawing inspiration from the depths of Japanese culture, TAKU's artistic journey unfolds against a backdrop of nostalgia and pop culture, intertwining elements of the past with a fresh perspective on the present. While his expertise shines in CD cover artwork for diverse artists within the music industry, TAKU's projects unveil a universe brimming with creativity, shaped by his profound connection to his surroundings.
Join us as we delve into TAKU's immersive world through an exclusive interview, TAKU invites us to explore his unique perspective, sharing insights into his inspirations, challenges, and aspirations within visual art.
UN DERNIER ADIEU .
“Un bref instant , l’âme pu revenir sur les lieux qui ont marqués les souvenirs de sa vie antérieure, mais ce n’était qu’une fraction de seconde avant que l’âme ne s’évapore pour un dernier adieu.”
For TAKU, the journey into visual art was an innate desire to create beauty.
"I've always loved creating things from a very young age, and I've always been fascinated by beautiful objects," he shares.
Drawing inspiration from luminaries such as Takashi Murakami, Offgod, and Hayao Miyazaki.
TAKU's artistic process is as intricate as it is fascinating. Whether through photography or illustration, each creation is infused with a piece of his soul. Themes of nostalgia and personal introspection permeate his work, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and reflection.
Artificial Paradise.
Edits & Post Production : Taku
Photographer : @cyberspace.cowgirl
Stylist : Estelle Saïdini
Make-Up : Mathilde Hache
Hair : Alec Biger
Models: Louna Acinelli, Julia Carvalho, Lou-Rose Pinard, Neba Fofana, Théo Geudin
Breaking into the Music Business : Forging Creative Connections
Taku's journey into the music industry was not a solitary endeavor but a collaborative effort with the beats and rhythms of the industry itself. Initially, he embarked on a path of canvassing and networking, gradually expanding his presence within the music scene through word-of-mouth recommendations and connections.
As Taku immersed himself further into the realm of music, he discovered a profound synergy between auditory and visual expression. His creative process became inseparable from the melodies that inspired him. Unable to divorce his artistic vision from the music that fueled his imagination, Taku found himself naturally gravitating toward the intersection of sound and imagery.
Creating covers for CDs offered Taku a unique opportunity to translate the emotional resonance of music into visual form. Each cover became a canvas for his interpretation of musical emotion, a harmonious fusion of sound and image aimed at capturing the essence of the artist's work. (Source : HYTRAPE)
Ghost Train CDs.
CD for Plana Way’s “PREMIÈRE RENCONTRE” Album.
Are there any experimental techniques you've recently explored?
I started photography some time ago and I really like it, I'd like to do more, I've planned a trip to Japan and I intend to take advantage of it to practice as much as I can.
What messages or emotions do you aim to convey through your artwork? How do you hope viewers interpret or engage with your art?
I try very hard to convey messages for my past and future self as if my creations were a diary. I don't think people have always understood this, but now I'm trying to be much more transparent by writing a text linked to my creations so that everyone understands.
UNE DERNIÈRE FOIS.
“Les années passent et les âmes de ceux qu’on aiment s’effacent mais les souvenirs et les endroits restent gravés. Vu qu’il est temps de se dire au revoir, je suis revenu passer du temps dans cette maison pleine de souvenirs, une dernière fois. Ma propre façon de surmonter les épreuves de la vie et mon hommage aux proches que j’ai perdus.”
What are some challenges you've encountered as an artist, and how have you overcome them? How do you continue to evolve and grow in your artistic practice?
Criticism on social networks, at first it wasn't easy, but in the end, these are the things that made me evolve. The pressure of seeing the level of other artists never really frightened me, it was a source of motivation for me.
I'm evolving because I'm growing up in everyday life and I'm becoming a more thoughtful person, I'm nourished by all kinds of creative inspiration and I often set myself goals and ideas for projects to do.
Are there any other artists or movements that have significantly influenced your work? How do you see your art contributing to broader conversations or movements within the art world or society?
I've been greatly influenced by Hirohiko Araki thanks to JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, he has a real knowledge of color, and his use of each palette inspires me a lot and I try on all the creations I make to have a unique rendering with character. Overall, I'm very inspired by Japanese culture and its graphic codes. I think it's still early to define the impact my art could have on the world, but I already hope it can inspire and motivate artists and bring happiness to those who follow me.
Planaway - PREMIÈRE RENCONTRE (Album)
Cover & Tracklist : Taku
Typography : @onyji_
What are your aspirations or goals for your artistic career in the future? Are there any new projects or directions you're excited to explore?
I'd like to do a lot of things, make elaborate textiles, and sculptures, publish an art book, support artists in their careers.
What motivates me most at the moment is getting into the fashion world and producing lots of art books.
Kodomo no Hi - Children's Day/Boys' Day Part 1
Merak Hand-sewn Jean and Koinoboris (fish-shaped kites hung at children's/boys' parties in Japan).
Photography & Edit : Taku
Mori No Tamashii - The Mask of a Wandering Soul
Textile creation of a plant mask representing a mystical character, who wanders through ruins and forests.
Photography & Edit : Taku
What is your definition of the Underground?
“For me, the underground is an alternative vision of how to express an art or a passion. It’s about finding one’s own path among all the others that are mapped out for us.”
