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argumentl · 7 months

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Osaka Noutei Tora no ana: fan report, Sep 23/24 2023 - Kaoru's talk event!

First I just need to say, I consider myself very lucky to have been able to attend and take part in this event!

I arrived at the venue at about 11:30pm, there were already a lot of fans hanging outside, and almost immediately a staff member of one restaurant opposite the venue building approached me and asked me in a shocked tone what on earth was going on with all these people here!😂 I told him it was an event by Kaoru from Dir en grey, and he just had no idea at all, asking, 'Is he Japanese??' 😆

Some fans were saying then that they saw Kaoru pulling up in a taxi and waving as he walked past them to go inside earlier...damn, I was too late!

After entering the building and lining up, I was eventually THIRD LAST into the venue! My ticket number was twice as high as last time..agh! It made me realise how close I was to not getting a ticket at all 😱 so I was grateful, but I was also stressing, because as my ticket number was so high, I was worried I wouldn't be able to see or hear anything from right at the back. In fact, I WAS right at the very back, there were no tables left and only one lonely chair left, but thank the gods, from that chair I had a clear view of Kaoru the whole time!!

Having said this, I did end up with a bit of trouble...in being handed a bunch of stuff as I entered (q&a paper, coaster, drink order token) and having nowhere to put anything, losing stuff, panicking, and then after that having to balance my drinks/food on my lap all night, but HEY, I could see and hear fine, so its all good!

Again, as far as I could tell, I seemed to be the only person there who was not Japanese. If any other foreign fans were there, let me know!!

The talk started with Fujieda and Takabayashi coming out for a quick greeting before calling Kaoru to join them. For some reason, Kaoru didn't immediately come out when he was called, and the audience ended up having to do encore style clapping before he actually came out 😆

He was wearing a black shirt, khaki shorts, a beanie, and glasses.

Kaoru and the managers got their drinks pretty quickly and Kaoru tried to raise a toast, but as us poor folk at the back still had no drinks, Kaoru decided to delay making a toast until we all had drinks (which, I must say, probably took another 30 mins or so). I'm so grateful he waited for us! 😭😭😭

To start, Kaoru talked a bit about how things had been for the Tokyo exhibition. That big collage board was also propped up on the stage next to them, and he explained a bit about it.

He also talked about his drawing of the Genesa which was on display in Tokyo. It was his original idea for how he wanted the guitar to look.

They then talked about how they came down to Osaka and brought all the art by car the previous day(Friday). When they got to the venue, the people who they had hired to help them set up everything didn't come, so they called the company and it turned out the company had mistaken the date, and thought they were due to set it up on Saturday instead! Thankfully, it was still all ready by the end of Friday, just a few hours later than expected. Kaoru said that while Takabayashi was on the phone seriously trying to sort out the problem, he himself went to the nearby convenience store, Mini-Stop, and bought ice cream. He really likes the ice cream at Mini-Stop 😆 This reminded them of how they occasionally had to go out to DIY stores for extra supplies during the Tokyo exhibition, and Takabayashi bought taiyaki while he was at one of the bigger stores. This made Fujieda jealous, as he loves taiyaki. Fujieda then told everyone that once during Tokyo run, Kaoru bought all the staff donuts from the store JACK IN THE DONUTS.

Kaoru said that he needed extra space to paint while he was creating all the art pieces so he rented a seperate apartment for the short term, just to paint in...but he heard a lot of noise there from people shouting in foreign languages next door (.....or something like that).

They talked a lot about the mangas they all like, as Kaoru had had some of his fave mangas with him on his desk at the exhibition. Fujieda said that as well as being a huge fan of Dragonball and Slamdunk, he is also a huge fan of Death Note. Kaoru found this kinda funny, and asked him if he'd seen the live action remake of Death Note, which Fujieda said he hadn't. This also reminded them of the recent One Piece remake, and then Kaoru remembered the Dragonball Z live action remake, saying it was astonishing...in a BAD way 😂 He even mentioned how Akira Toriyama had refused any association with it.

Speaking of watching things, Fujieda and a lot of the audience have been watching the new VIVANT TV drama recently, and they couldn't believe that Kaoru hasn't been watching it. (I haven't been watching it either, so this went over my head a bit!!😆)

Kaoru said if he could take any manga to a desert island, he would take Kochi Kame: Tokyo Beat Cops, as stuff like Dragonball etc is already all in his head.

During the first half of the event, a screen was lowered behind Kaoru and the managers, and they used it with a kind of overhead projector to showcase some of the new art. Kaoru used the exhibition pamphlet to project images of the art onto the screen behind, which meant we also got a lot of closeups of his hands and arms ☺️ There were also plenty of spoilers for me, since my ticket for the exhibition is for after Tora no ana 😆 (Again, I still feel lucky there, because I heard some women near me talking in the line that none of them had been able to secure tickets to the exhibition at all.)

Just like when writing music, Kaoru said he also ends up with a lot of duds/write offs when he is painting too.

He started having ideas about putting on an exhibition after the completion of Phalaris, but started the actual painting in January this year.

Fujieda and Takabayashi both revealed their fave pieces from the exhibition, and those works were then discussed in more depth.

It was around this time that a woman in my row at the back started bravely calling out comments and questions to Kaoru, which he was replying to! Im fairly sure I recognized her as one of Kaoru's more visible online fans. Oh, to have her courage!!

Ive totally forgotten how they got onto this topic, but at one poInt Fujieda started talking about how he used to regularly get brazillian waxes when he used to be a bandman. And these days he also waxes his nose hairs...you're welcome for the mental image!😂

It was well past 2am by the time the break was announced. Kaoru dissapeared back stage for around 15mins, and by this time I was also kinda drunk.

After getting restarted, there was a bit of casual talk for a while iirc, and then the Q&A section began.

Once again Im going to start this part of the report by saying my question and name were read out!! BUT with hilarious/tragic results!😂 My question was concerning Kaoru's old band Charm, since he had displayed the flyer in Tokyo, and I also asked if he could expand on his pre-Dir band history in general.

Fujieda was like, "Ok, this question is asking about Charm, what kind of band was it, and stuff? I can't even understand the rest of the question..", and then he promptly announced my name to Kaoru too! I'd be lying if said I didn't feel slightly dead from embarrassment at his last remark! 😂 But let me clear things up here! Remember I said earlier that I was practically last to get inside with no table? Well, I knew I had barely any time left to scribble down a question when I got in. I had mentally prepared the question in my head in advance, so I had to write it as fast as I could with one of those flimsy plastic clip/pencil things, resting on my knees, in a totally frantic state, and in VERY poor light...in my second language! 😂 My handwriting was certainly rushed and untidy, and knowing me, I probably made errors and missed out words etc in my haste. I was actually shocked that it was picked up at all, considering its lack of readability, and the fact that so so many of the other question sheets just got passed straight over. So after some consideration, Im taking this as win! 😂

As for Kaoru's answer, he basically said he has nothing to say about Charm, as if HE was embarrassed to talk about this topic! So yehy, I managed to embarrass us both!! 😆😆 Again, Im taking this postively, you only live once, and I will never forget this! 😂

As for the other questions, he was asked various things, includIng firstly which of the other members is most into exercise? To this he said probably none of them, since none of them are actually inherently sporty.

One question congratulated Kaoru on Hanshin winning the series (the whole audience applauded this), and asked for his alternative suggestion to diving off the Ebisu bridge in Dotonbori. (This practice has been banned due to people getting hurt/killed while jumping off the brige in celebration) Kaoru sarcasticly suggested diving off Tsutenkaku tower instead...the audience was audibly shocked 😂

Another fan asked about how the other Dir members refer to Takabayashi, since Kaoru always calls him Tōru. Apparently the other members call him Tōru too, except Shinya who refers to him as 'kimi'(you). But then again, Shinya refers to Fujieda as 'kimi' as well.

About half way through the Q&A Kaoru introduced some of the merch available at the exhibition, using the overhead projector to showcase it.

Another question asked the dates for the fan trip next year, and Kaoru confirmed it will be on the 16th and 17th of Feb. He already has the location decided and the venue booked, but he couldn't say any more for now. The only hint was that is was nothing like all the suggestions considered back in March. The official announcement will be made next month.

Someone also wrote something suggesting that Kyo and Kaoru do should a shared birthday event, because they didn't like having to choose bewteen Kyo and Kaoru's seperate events. Kaoru was reluctant to do this, because 'its him, right?' (i.e We all know what Kyo can be like when he feels like it...or not!) 😅

There were a few other questions about the usual things, food, baseball etc, and after the Q&A was finished, Kaoru declared he was gonna give away a signed nouteikarano2 poster to one audience member. He asked everyone who wanted to win it to stand up, and then started a game of rock paper scissors, with him against the audience. In the end one fan was remaining and she was called to the front where Kaoru handed her the poster! Obviously I lost against him, but I'm just happy to have played!!😄

As the event was coming to an end an audience member quietly ordered two rounds of tequila shots for Kaoru, and the managers! The were kinda surprised, but still drank them! (Tonnes of food and drink which the audience had been ordering for them was still left over though!)

To end Kaoru stated that the streets were still full of weirdos at this time in the morning (4:30am)..so to be careful (Like, its dangerous, but off you go anyway! 😂). Takabayashi confirmed that, yes, the clubs are still very much in operation at this time. So I avoided the backstreets on my walk back alone! Haha.

Much more was talked about in addition to the above of course, he talked the night away! Despite my blunders, I do feel very lucky to have been here, and it was joy to be drinking till morning with him! Next...the actual exhibition!😅

#dir en grey #薫 #report #tora no ana #nouteikarano2

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argumentl · 7 months

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The Freedom of Expression - Vol:21, Discussing Nouteikarano2.

(LONG POST* Starts with with Hanshin talk, but leads into very interesting talk about Kaoru's artistic process)

K: Ok, here we go, this is the Freedom of Expression. I'm Kaoru from Dir en grey.

J: And I'm Joe Yokomizo, not Miura Jun.

K: Haha

T: Im Tasai from Tokyo Sports.

J: Ok, so here we are again...Kaoru, you must be happy about that thing, right?

T: Oh, THAT, right?

J: Yeh, that!

K: You keep saying 'that'.

J: Say it yourself then!

K: That pineapple thing?

J: No, no.

T: Yes, yes, it is that!

J: Eh? Is it?? I dont even know the details!

T: Haha

J: Look, they know what 'THAT' is in the comments!

K: Its the pineapple thing.

T: Yep

J: Eh?! Whats the pineapple thing? Is that right??....Ok, yeahhh, the pineapple thing!!

K, T: Hahaha

J: Congratulations! *applause*

K: Yeah, congratulations.

J: The Hanshin Tigers won at last! They conquered the Central League! Is that the expression people use?

K: Yes, thats right.

J: Congratulations! *applause*

T: Its the first time in 18 years, right?

J: What were you doing at that moment?

K: I was watching it...Uh, we it got into the bottom of the ninth innings, I was thinking OMG! I was getting really excited, like OMGOMG!

J, T: Hahaha

K: But then Sakamoto got a home run, and I suddenly got really calm, like, 'oh wow'...and when they won, I was like, 'Okay, good job!'. Haha

J: You calmed yourself down for the actual moment?

K: Yeah

J: Someone asked, 'Did you cry?'

K: A little bit, a few tears of joy.

J: Well, you would shed a tear after 18 years.

T: Of course you would.

K: Yeah.

J: So what happens after this? I have no idea how it works.

K: Well, the Climax series starts soon, and if they get through that, they will go onto the Nihon series.

J: Ah, after 18 years..

K: Its true that they actually won the Central League, but I never thought they would, haha. Even up until the last minute, other teams' fans were certain Hanshin would win this, but it was only the Hanshin fans going, 'Ahh, still not sure' Haha. Something was bound to get in the way.

T: Haha

J: Haha, in the bottom of your heart, you really don't trust them, do you? You love them, but you can't trust them.

K: Haha, something could come along and knock them down at the last minute.

J: Well, I guess no-one knows when the team in second place will catch up. That could even be the Hanshin Tigers, right?

T: There was one point where they were about level with Hiroshima, but began taking the lead again after that.

K: Yeah, the same happened with DeNa too, but then they ran away with the lead.

T: They did.

K: September was incredible. They had 11 wins in a row.

J: It might be unlucky to say this? But will they be ok getting to the Nihon series? Haven‘t they used up all their success already?

K: Yeah, at the moment they are on a downward spiral...but they did actually win today's game.

J: But they are only throwaway matches now, right? So it doesn't matter.

K: Yeah, but there is still the players' individual stats to consider.

J: Oh, leader titles?

K: Yeah, and they really should try to keep up their form to suceed in the next stages.

J: I see, so they need to remain vigilant, but for now at least the fans can shed a few relieved tears at this 18 year in the waiting win.

K: Yes. So, as for next month....next month is the Climax series. I think it starts on the 18th, right? If it all goes as normal, Hanshin should have three games on the 18th, 19th, and 20th. If they win those, they will get to the Nihon series. BUT...if they end up with a 4th match on the 21st, we will watch it live here.

J, T: Ohh!

*applause*

J: Hang on though, what if they don't have a 4th match??

K: In that case we could just celebrate them getting to the Nihon series, or play baseball themed games or something. haha.

T: Well, yeah, it will be a celebration.

K: If there is no Hanshin game on that day, that means they already won the Climax series, so I'm honestly quite happy even if there is no game that day.

J: It has nothing to do with this show really, right? Haha

T: Thats right.

K: I just want them to win.

J: Yeah, thats your first priority. So that is the plan for the October broadcast anyway. Will they make it through the next series? Who knows? But everyone, keep your hopes up. Ok, so we are still requesting questions and comments from viewers. If you have any thoughts, requests, ideas, anything...please write them in the comments section. Twitter users can....Oh its not called twitter anymore, is it? X users can post with the hashtag TFOE. So, this show is free for everyone during the first half, but the second half is for members only. If you become a member, you can watch this in the archives for a year, and also enjoy a members only video in the coming days. You can become a member using the link which is at the top of your screens now, Leader point to it please. So please do join and enjoy the show to the end. Ok, so before we get onto the main talk, does everyone remember us going to Shimokitazawa last time? Did you all watch it? We are currently taking entries from channel members to win these viewer presents! Here they are! First is a Phalaris LP signed by Kaoru. And next is Björk's album Biophilia, which Kaoru selected at Disc Union.

K: Tasai, can you get Björk to sign this for us?

T: Eh?!! How?? Where even is she now??

K: Hahaha!

J: You could ask Hiranabe to do his gyōza signature on it?

T: Haha yeh.

J: There might be someone out there who wants Hiranabe's Björk gyōza signature! Anyway, we will give these away, so if you want either of these please go to the show's blog and place your entry. That's the Phalaris LP and also Biophila by Björk, as chosen by Kaoru. Ok, now for today's talk....Was it running until yesterday? Yes, thats right, today its a special broadcast to talk about Kaoru's art exhibition, Nouteikarano2! *applause* I think a lot of you probably went to see it. Thank you to everyone who did. There may be many people who couldn't make it due to their schedule though, so Leader, can you tell us what kind of exhibition it was? Give us the basics. Oh, someone commented, 'It was great!' Thank you! Oh, and 'I went!'

K: Thank you. Well, 4 years ago I put on an exhibition of representations of the dark dreams I had when I was a kid, and this time was a kind of imagining of the continuation of those dreams. Thats the idea I started with. But at the same time, these images are still just coming naturally out of my head, the same place they came from last time. So thats why I decided to use the same title, Nouteikarano.

J: So, you held the exhibition in Tokyo and Osaka this time?

K: Yes

J: How was that? Was there anything you were particularly conscious of by holding it in two locations?

K: Well, in Tokyo, as well as the art, there was a display of various items from my past, things I used when I was a kid etc. Those teru teru bōzus were there too. So I displayed these to show some of my personal things along with my art. The Osaka venue was really small, so I just displayed the art there, but it was a chance to see the art at much closer range than in Tokyo.

J: I see, so with the larger capacity in Tokyo, you were able to show some of those memories. And as Osaka was so small, you could get a close range view?

K: Yes.

J: Both myself and Tasai visited the Tokyo exhibition, didn't we? Tasai what did you think?

T: I couldn't believe how much Kaoru revealed. It wasn't Kaoru from that band, it was Kaoru the person. With those toys and things, I thought it was very revealing. It was exciting. Like, a strange kind of excitement. Joe, what did you think?

J: Well, we are gonna talk about which pieces we liked later, but...of course I went to see the first Noiteikarano too, and I saw the high quality of work then. But this time it seemed to be on a much deeper level. It felt overwhelmingly deep. We'll have a look soon, but I couldn't get the images out of my head, they had a big impact on me. If any of the viewers went, please write your thoughts and impressions in the comments too. Ok, so moving on, next myself and Tasai will be asking Kaoru a few questions about Nouteikarano2, but if viewers have questions, please send them too. That goes for both people who have seen the paintings and for people who haven't. We'll be happy to take your questions. Ok, Tasai! What do you want to ask first?

T: Hmm, should we take a look at the photos?

J: Ok, lets first look at photos of the venue.

T: This is Tokyo?

K, J: Yes.

T: People in Osaka may not have seen this yet.

K: Yeah, so this is what you saw as soon as you entered.

J: When choosing the venue, you have to think about how the art will appear in the place, right?

K: Yeah

J: Im sure you checked out a few different venues this time, but it was quite interesting entering this particular venue.

K: Well, it was underground, down that narrow staircase, haha.

J: Yes, its like it was hidden, or a secret den or something. Going down there was almost like a ritual to enter Kaoru's mind. Ah, someone commented, 'The lighting was cool'.

T: Someone is asking how you figured out the order in which to display them.

K: Well, I had a fixed order pretty much prepared in advance, but unless you actually put them in place, you can't know how well it will work. For example, with that painting on the right of the photo, I originally planned to hang paintings on either side of it too. But it didn't quite work out in reality, so I left it as one. You really have to test it out to know if it will work. I went there with an idea of the order, but I didn't know how it would go till I tried it.

J: It depends on the type of wall too probably.

K: As for deciding what to include in the space, this is what I came up with.

J: Ahh, can we look at another photo?

K: Ok, so this is if you turn left from the first photo.

J: Yeah, I think we'll take a look at individual paintings soon, but those two red and green paintings at the far left side, did you paint those while I was there?

K: No no, those were there from the start. Can you see that tiny one above those two? I painted that in the venue. All the others shown there were there from the start.

J: I see, only that small one at the top, between the red and green ones. It seems like the viewers understand.

K: Can you see those small squares under the red and green ones? The tshirt im wearing is from those.

J: Oh, I see....So that area on the left out of shot is where you were doing your live painting?

K: Yes

J: Were you there the whole time? No? Just sometimes?

K: Sometimes I went, sometimes I didn't.

J: You were painting there, right?

K: Wasn't I painting while you were there?

J: When I got there, you were in that area, but you came out to talk to me when you saw me. There was an unfinished painting on your desk, it looked like you were in the middle of painting. So, I thought 'Ahh, this is where he paints them'.

T: Someone commented 'The live painting was amazing!'

J: Ah, now we are getting these kind of comments. Ok, lets see the next photo.

T: Is this the entrance?

K: Well, after you get inside there was the merch corner, and this wall kinda lead to that. On the otherside of this wall was all my stuff.

J: Ah, your childhood things etc. Did you draw all this on the wall while you were there?

K: Yeah, we actually made this wall. So it was ok to draw on it. We've already torn this down.

J: No way!

K: Yeah, we were gonna discard it anyway, so it was ok to draw on it.

J: Someone commented, 'The drawings increased day by day'. Ah, that means it looked a lot different on the first and last days. Agh, you already discarded it?? People are saying they want it!

K: Isn't it too big?

J: Well, I mean, you could cut it up and make it into NFTs or something? Ah, a comment saying you should make it into a present. Hey, I want you to come to my home and draw art on the walls!

K: Really?? You'll let me draw anything, right?

J: No, not ANYTHING...

K: Hahaha

T: No no, you have to let the artists follow their inspiration!

J: Yeah thats true, but I know he would end up pranking me. Like, what if just he drew loads of dicks or something??

K: Haha, just let me draw anything I like!

J: No no, not ANYTHING. This is my home! Draw something that would impress any women I bring over, that kind of thing. Not just ANYTHING.

K: Haha

T: Hey, do those mouth/face characters have a name?

K: No, I just tried drawing one, and it turned out quite fun, so I drew a bunch of them.

J: Ahh, I see. Actually, how many paintings were there in total?

K: *counts in head* Hmm, maybe 15 or 16. It might be more, if you include the small ones.

J: Ah, someone said there were 18 in Osaka. We spoke about this before, but this time there were more bigger paintings compared to last time, right?

K: Yes

J: Also, how long did it take you to paint them?

K: Well, I first started painting the big pieces in February this year. And then I was finished them in June. So I finished them then, and worked on the smaller and medium sized ones around the same time.

T: How do you actually get a painting started? What goes through your head before you make the first brush stroke?

J: Ah, yeh! Cause we only see the finished product, right?

K: Well, nothing specific. If I'm using a white canvas, I will usually cover it all black first. And then I will apply white over that and do the actual painting on that. In that way, the black comes through in sections where I erase any parts, and gives it a kind of hazy effect. It makes it more atmospheric than just painting on the bare canvas. So yes, I usually start by covering it black.

J: Well, you did explain some of the pieces to me, but when you start, do you have a vision of what you want it to look like when its finished, or any kind of rough sketch?

K: No. If I did, I'd just end up following that, and it would get boring.

J: So, its not the case that having a rough sketch beforehand allows you to easily see when you've finished?

K: No, you'd just be following the sketch, it wouldn't be exciting at all.

J: I see, it would be more like completing a job, and less like a creative challenge.

T: Conversely, how do you know when you've finished a piece?

K: Like, 'This'll do'... haha

J: So you feel that moment? You don't feel like painting any more after that?

K: Wel, I can..but usually its just like, 'Hmm, this is about right'.

T: Are there any similarities to song writing?

K: Well, with songwriting the other members are there, I can check with them, and ask what they think. Here, its just me, so I just think to myself, 'Hm, I think its done'. I'm free to go in whichever direction I choose with this too.

J: Some of the pictures have titles too, right? Do the titles correlate (*J uses the word 相関性 for this*) with the images?...I mean, I guess they do, right?

K: What does 相関性 mean?

J: Like, do the titles have meaning in relation to the pictures?

K: Yes, they do. I wasn't intending to use titles at all at first...but then when I saw the finished art...Words create a lot of bias though, right? They pull you in their direction.

J: At what stage did you create the titles?

K: Right at the end, some of them only just in time.

T: Can we see another photo? Ah, this is the painting titled 'Doko made mo'. It really does seem difficult finding the words to describe this.

K: Yeah

J: Yeah, a name can pull you one way, and it can exclude other interpretations.

T: Next photo, how do you read this title?

K: This is 'Matsuretsu no yukue' (末列のゆくえ)

T: I like this one.

J: Its mainly monotone, but there is a splash of colour there too.

T: Kaoru, I wanted to ask if there is any meaning behind the way you use red and green in your art?

J: Yeah, in the eyes of Kaoru, what are colours?

K: Hm, there isn't really any meaning behind the colours. They just somehow...

T: They just appear from you?

K: Hmm, yeah. There is no special meaning behind different colours.

J: A comment asks 'Where does the last row begin from?' The left or right side? (*Im not sure of the translation of 末列/matsurestu, but Im goin with 'last row'. Open to corrections*)

K: It begins on the right side.

J: Ok, next photo, this is titled 'Inuka'. Is the intonation ok? Like, INuka?

K: Haha, yes, INuka.

J: Not inuKA, right?

K: Haha, no.

J: People seem to really like this one. This was on one of the tshirts too wasn't it?

K: Yes.

J: Yeah, someone said Inuka is their fave. Its mine too! (*Joe pronounces it 'inuKA' by mistake*)

K: Its 'INuka', haha.

J: Haha, sorry. By the way, what does this title mean?

K: Well, some of my friends and people who saw it asked, 'Is it a dog??' (これ犬か？？/kore inu ka??)

J: (speaking English) 'Is this dog?? Is this dog??' No?

K: Haha...no, it looks like its been shot through (射抜かれてる/inukareteiru) . So thats why I called it 'Inuka'.

J: Ahhh, I see. It kinda looks like the silhouette of a dog at the top though. Yes, this was my favorite. Can I ask a quick question about this? Is it ok? That white section in the middle, tell me how you created that part. That white line.

K: I used tape to create a clean line, then pulled the tape off.

J: So thats the result after pulling the tape off. It looks amost like a hole. As it happens, the day after I first saw this, I was working with the modern artist Gunji Pegio-Yukio who belongs to the Science and Engineering Department at Waseda University. I was asking him where creativity comes from, and for him it comes from connection to the outer realm. We humans live in the inner realm, but if you can somehow connect with that outer realm, then inspiration will fall down to you. According to him, humans can train themselves to reach that other realm, but as for art, an important element in any finished work is the existence of a hole-like area somewhere, so that things from the outer realm can fall into it. Its like a portal from this realm to the outer realm that you can pass through and back again. I mean, it doesn't have to be a hole, anything that looks like it could draw you in, or that the other realm could come through from, something that really impacts the image. I was just coincidentally talking about this with him. Anyway, so with this piece I feel like there is a connection to the other realm with that white hole. So I really did like this picture. I felt like I could reach the other realm through this. I mean, this is just my personal take. Yes, so this picture Inuka lined up perfectly with my talk with Gunji san. Can we see any more pictures?

K: Thats all for now.

T: Honestly, Im so impressed with your energy Kaoru, being in a band and creating all this art. Where does it come from?

K: Well, I just like making things.

J: Which was the most difficult piece to make this time?

K: Well, with the big paintings, you want them to be kind of intense, right? I didn't want them to be mediocre. I was trying to avoid that.

J: How do you avoid it?

K: Well, just going up close and working on each part in detail. I was looking closely at every part.

T: Its really interesting to me how you get the right balance of feelings in your work. You have that unique font that you created too. I always find that really interesting.

J: Someone asked, 'Any photos of Osaka?'. Unfortunately we only have photos of Tokyo today. But Kaoru, both the Tokyo and Osaka runs are over now, so tell us how you feel about how it went.

K: Well, I was slightly nervous about the whole thing before it started. Like, how would people take to it?...Cause I've never studied art or anything like that, I didn't think the pictures I did were all that great, I just like drawing. So I just wanted people to come and have a look they felt like it. When I had them finished, I lined them all up in the apartment I was renting, and I was really concerned that they weren't that good. But after I saw them all displayed in the exhibition, I actually felt that they do actually appear kind of interesting. So I was pleased about that.

J: Ok, so the first part of the show is gonna end soon.

T: That was quick! You wanna ask more questions, right everyone?

J: I'm sure they do, but time is limited unfortunately. We don't have Toshi-Low here to draw our time out forever.

K: Haha

J: Ok, so in the second part, we have a piece of art to show you especially. We talked earlier about how Kaoru was doing live painting at the exhibition, and this is one of the pieces he completed there, right?

K: Yes

J: Anyone who was at the last day in Tokyo might have seen it already, but those who went to Osaka will not have, neither will people who went to the earlier Tokyo days. So we will show this exclusively in the second part, please look forward to that. We will also hear a lot more talk from Kaoru, so please keep sending in your questions. Additionally, since the theme of the exhibition stemmed from Kaoru's dreams, we also have a dream themed activity planned, so please become a member to get a closer look into Kaoru's mind. Ok, I'll let you know how you can watch the second half. The second half is for channel members only, so if you want to watch it you will need to register. If you become a member, you will be able watch this broadcast in the archives for a year, and there will also be an extra members only video posted in the coming days. Thats right, there is the link at the top of the screen, Kaoru is pointing to it. Please use this blue link to become a channel member. When you click the link, you will get a page asking you to choose your payment method. Choose your prefered method, click proceed, then enter your details. Thats it. So if you haven't joined yet, please do so to see Kaoru's art in the second part. Also, as we said at the beginning, we are taking entries to win the prizes from Shimokitazawa last time. The prizes are for members only and two winners will be picked by lottery. The prizes are a Phalaris LP signed by Kaoru, and Björk's Biophilia as picked by Kaoru in Disc Union. Please go to this show's blog to enter. Kaoru, do you have any announcements?

K: I do! Well, its still the month after next, but the tour will start then.

J: So you're in the preparation stage? Just taking it slowly?

K: Well, there is still a lot to sort out. But we have the setlist already.

J: Ohhh, yeah, people are looking forward to that. Ok, so as per the tour things are moving!

K: Yes

T: When I think of it, the last year has gone by in a blink. Already the next tour on its way.

J: Your nostrils are really flared!

T: Haha, no, I just mean, I envy the fans having so much to look forward to.

J: But Tasai, you have loads of gyoza stuff to enjoy, right?

T: Well...

K: Isn't that fun?

T: Yeah, I suppose so.

J: Anyway, we will have a short break here, members just wait there. You still have time to become member! Ok, second part next, quick break! Bye bye, see you later.

#薫 #dir en grey #the freedom of expression #translation #kaoru #nouteikarano2

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