[EN] #427 Tadashi Kawamata | His Childhood in the Mines, His Radical Art, and His Exile in Paris

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Thank you to Tadashi Kawamata for joining us on TheBoldWay! Tadashi is a globally renowned Japanese artist who transforms urban spaces with his monumental wooden installations, creating structures that are both ephemeral and captivating. First recognized at the Venice Biennale, he has left a lasting impression with his works at PS1 in New York, the Documenta in Kassel, and in Paris with his iconic project of 8,000 chairs at the Salpêtrière.

In this episode, he shares his extraordinary journey: a childhood in a mining town in Japan, his obsession with parasitic structures, and his relationship with time, impermanence, and urban chaos. Why does he refuse to be categorized as either an artist or an architect? How does he fund large-scale projects without a safety net? And most importantly, what is his vision of a world where every work is a coincidence—an intentional accident?

A rare and inspiring conversation with a man who deconstructs and reconstructs our perception of art. Enjoy listening!

In this episode, we discuss:

• His artistic journey: From his childhood in Hokkaido, surrounded by coal mines, to his time at Tokyo University of the Arts, where he discovered his passion for installations.
• His approach to art: The influence of chance and encounters in his career, his rejection of classifications (neither architect nor traditional artist), and his situationist approach to creation.
• His iconic projects: His participations in the Venice Biennale, the Documenta in Kassel, his work with PS1 in New York, and his impactful project at the Sainte-Pétrière Hospital in Paris.
• The concept of temporality and parasitic structures: His vision of the ephemeral nature of artworks, the importance of recycling materials, and his inspiration from ever-changing urban landscapes.
• His time in New York during the 80s: Encounters with Keith Haring, Basquiat, and the East Village art scene.
• His collaboration with Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons) and other collaborations with architects and designers.
• His perspective on legacy and family: Late marriage, the birth of his children, and its impact on his work.
• His philosophy of life and advice to young artists: The importance of perseverance, sacrifice, and investing in one’s art before the age of 45.

A fascinating episode on boldness, uncompromising creativity, and building a career outside the beaten path!

Timeline:

02:30 – Origins and early journey: Childhood in Hokkaido, father was a miner, initial disinterest in art, entering Tokyo University of the Arts.

08:45 – The emergence of a style and influences: Meeting with a contemporary art professor, fascination with Joseph Beuys, first experiments with installations.

15:20 – From Tokyo to international recognition: Early successes in Tokyo galleries, moving to New York with a PS1 grant, immersion in the art scene with Basquiat and Keith Haring.

25:45 – The concept of temporality and parasitic structures: Creation of ephemeral installations, recycling materials, influence of Tokyo’s ever-changing urbanism.

35:30 – The Sainte-Pétrière Hospital and monumental installations: Landmark project with 8,000 stacked chairs, funding through art sales, media impact.

45:15 – Between art and architecture: The concept of "Ma" in Japanese culture—bridging the gap between art and architecture, reflections on impermanence and constant renewal of works.

55:00 – Collaborations and luxury: Working with Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons, collaborations with Hermès and Pierre Yovanovitch, integrating design into his art.

1:05:00 – Personal life and legacy: Late marriage, having children after turning 50, balancing family life with artistic creation.

1:15:00 – Advice for young artists: The need to invest in one’s work before 45, the importance of perseverance and risk-taking in an artistic career.

1:18:45 – Closing and conclusion: Revisiting his intuitive approach, final thoughts, and end of the episode.

Nb: TheBoldWay ou The Bold Way, anciennement connu sous le nom de Entreprendre dans la mode ou EDLM , est un podcast produit et réalisé par Adrien Garcia.   

Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.