Hiroaki Iwasa

Hiroaki Iwasa | Relocation 03 | 2014

How did you first get into creating hand-cut paper collages, and what drew you to this medium?

When I started hand-cut collage, I imposed several conditions on myself when I thought about creating some artwork.

1. No brushes.
2. Inexpensive to make.
3. Make it with your own hands.

The hand-cut collage fulfilled these conditions. Also, I usually manage an apparel brand with my wife, and my roles are design and accounting. When I thought about making and selling my own works as part of my business, apart from design and accounting, hand-cut collage was the best solution for me. I was also attracted to this medium because I believe that expressing my artwork and daily thoughts on paper is of the utmost importance. I thought this medium was beautiful to look at and would be the perfect medium to trigger a new art experience for the reader.

Can you describe your creative process when starting a new project? How do you choose the themes for your works?

I have decided that I will not use AI to create materials for my collages; I believe that if I use AI to create materials to my liking, my imagination and creativity will be impoverished. Even if it costs me time and money, my first priority is to go to secondhand bookstores to find materials, even if they are not harvested, purchase them, and make use of them. I do not have a particular theme in mind when creating my works. I decide on a theme after the work is completed. It is as if the finished work tells me what the theme is.

Hiroaki Iwasa | Relocation 05 | 2014

How does living in Fukuoka influence your work? Do you draw inspiration from the city and its culture?

Fukuoka City is currently undergoing a once-in-a-century urban redevelopment project, attempting to break away from the 20th century mindset (short-term mass production and short-term mass consumption). It is trying to create new jobs and industries, support art, culture, and music, and change from a city of consumption to a city of creation and higher added value. The atmosphere of the city has a positive influence on my current collage and clothing making. Specifically, I strive to create works and products with higher added value. We also try to enrich ourselves economically and culturally. A comfortable and livable environment is certainly important, but I also want to be someone who is needed in the future Fukuoka, where like-minded people are engaged in friendly competition.

What challenges do you face while working with paper as your primary medium?

It takes me a very long time to get started on a production, regardless of whether it is a paper production or not. This is a problem with my personality. I have no high creative drive or desire to take the initiative in creating a work of art. I always work only when the deadline is imminent. If there is one thing I am passionate about, it is proving that I can make a living by creating and selling artwork and products, even with such a personality.

How do you see the connection between your collages and the apparel brand you run? Are there any cross-influences between the two?

There is absolutely no mutual influence between collage and clothing making. They are completely different businesses. The difference is that clothing-making takes a shorter time from the time the product is finished to the time when sales are made and the funds are collected. Collage takes more time to complete the work, make sales, and recoup funds. In our own work, we have created a system to reduce risk as much as possible by conducting businesses that take a short time to make sales and collect funds, and businesses that take a long time to make sales and collect funds.

Hiroaki Iwasa | Relocation 02 | 2014

What role do you think fashion and art play in expressing your personal identity or the message you want to convey?

I never thought it had to be fashion or art because I just happened to be good at fashion and art. The message I want to convey is, “Let’s go from consumers to producers, from consumers to capitalists.” So if I could convey this message, I was an architect, a barista, a potter, an editor, or whatever my job was, to be honest.

How do you decide on the color schemes and textures used in your collages?

We will try to avoid deciding on color schemes and textures as much as possible. I create in the dark, cut along the outline that comes into view, and only when I am satisfied with the result do I decide, “This was the right choice.” Therefore, my technique does not improve at all. I always feel like a beginner.