Tokyo and LA are teeming with overlapping sports and culture
LEARN MORE FROM AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JAPANESE ARTIST GUCCIMAZE
In celebration of the Tokyo Games, LA28 is surfacing the connections between Los Angeles and Japan. Guccimaze is a talented, local Japanese designer based in Tokyo, Japan who has worked with LA artists to hear how they depict the cultural ties between two cities. Here’s an interview where he shares his story and perspective.
Below is a short interview with GUCCIMAZE.
GUCCIMAZEは、東京を拠点に活動するグラフィックデザイナー兼アーティストだ。
GUCCIMAZE is a graphic designer and artist based in Tokyo, Japan
LAカルチャーの影響が色濃い日本を代表するビーチエリア、神奈川県湘南で育った彼は、グラフィティや書道など様々なタイポグラフィーを独自の解釈で表現。
Growing up in Shonan, Kanagawa, one of the most popular beach cities in Japan with a strong influence of LA culture, he has been creating his own unique interpretation of various typography including graffiti and Japanese calligraphy.
鋭さと硬質さを感じる立体的なフォルム、鮮やかでありながら毒々しさが漂う配色は、世界の名だたる企業やアイコンたちから高く評価を受け、Nicki Minajの『Queen』のジャケットやFlying Lotusの『FLAMAGRA』のアルバムロゴ制作をはじめ、Fetty Wap、Post Maloneらにもグラフィックを提供している。
His sculptural forms with a sense of edginess and hardness, and his vivid and almost toxic color schemes have been well received by the world's most famous corporations and individuals. He has created the cover of Nicki Minaj's "Queen", Flying Lotus' "FLAMAGRA" album logo, and has also provided graphics for Fetty Wap and Post Malone.
ーLAから受けた影響ついて
What influences have you had from LA?
地元・湘南にはLAに似た雰囲気や文化があります。家族がサーフィン好きということもあり、小さい頃から身近な存在だったサーフブランドのロゴには自然と触れる機会も多かったです。LAにはLA特有のチルさ、というか、他の都市とは全く異なる独自のスタイルを感じます。音楽、デザイン、そして街が有する肩の力が抜けた雰囲気には、かなりの影響を受けていると感じます。
There is an LA-esque feel and culture in my hometown Shonan. My family loves surfing, so I naturally had a lot of exposure to the logos of surf brands that I was familiar with since I was a kid. I feel that LA has its own chill vibe, or perhaps a distinctive style that is completely different from other cities. The music, the design, the vibes of the city... I'm heavily influenced by its relaxed vibe and spirit.
ーLAと東京の共通点および都市間の大きな違い
What L.A. and Tokyo have in common and what are the major differences?
LAと東京の共通点は、カルチャーを発信する立場にあること。それができる地域は少なく、数百年後にもこの役割を担っている信じています。LAは音楽やデザインを含む多くのカルチャーにおいて、絶えず新しいものを生み出しては発信しており、海を越えた東京にいても良い刺激を受け取れる。もちろん、東京もLAに影響を与えているはずです。違いは、東京はひたすら忙しないけれど、LAにはゆるいムードがあること。街の特徴は大きく異なるにもかかわらず、違いに絶大な発信力がある。それが結果として、東京とLAのアウトプットの違いになっていると思います。
The common denominator between LA and Tokyo is that they are both in a role to spread cultures. LA is a city that is constantly creating and delivering something new in many aspects of culture, including music and design. and even if you are across the ocean in Tokyo, you can still receive great inspiration. And of course, Tokyo must be influencing LA in some way. The difference is that Tokyo is just so busy, while LA has a much more laid-back mood. Despite the significant differences, there is a massive power of expression in the differences of the two cities. I think this is the result of the differences in the outputs between Tokyo and LA.
ーLA28に向けた期待と願い
What are your hopes and wishes for LA28?
LAのクリエイターたちは、オリンピックに向けて多種多様なプロジェクトを仕掛けていくはずなので、それに触れるのが楽しみです。パンデミックに差別、貧困など、未だに世界各地でネガティブなニュースは後を絶たないですが、解決のために声をあげ、尽力し続けた先に、本当にピースフルな世界が広がっていることを強く願っています。僕自身も歩みを止めることなく、2028年には世界と対等に戦える作品づくりをしていたいですね。
I am sure that LA creators will set up a whole variety of projects for the Olympics, and I'm looking forward to experiencing them. Although there is still so much negative news around the world, like pandemics, discrimination, poverty, etc., I strongly hope that a truly peaceful world will unfold after we continue to raise our voices and make efforts for solutions. I myself would like to keep moving forward and create works that can be equally successful with the rest of the world by the year 2028.