Yoh Nagao FAD/ Pick Me Up 2011 Q&A
Image:Yoh Nagao Rat drummer 2007 278-215mm Acrylic, collage, pencil, pen on paper © The artist
Yoh Nagao FAD/ Pick Me Up 2011 Q&A
Do you consider yourself as an artist or graphic designer?
I consider myself as an artist.
How important is the distinction between the two?
Labels are not important; if the work is strong people will take notice and remember it.
Name 3 of your favourite artists.
Ron Mueck
Shinro Ohtake
P.A.M (Perks and Mini)
Name 3 of your favourite Graphic Designers.
Big Active
M/M (Paris)
Stefan Sagmeister
Do you like working in Advertising?
Yes I do. I haven’t done a lot of advertising work but I like it.
What is your favourite ‘ism’?
“Pure” ism but not in the usual sense of the word, more like following a pure innocent, desire that comes from within. You can compare it to the way children are capable of playing all day long until their mother finally calls them back home, otherwise they would just keep on playing. In the context of my work I find that doing something I truly love generates the best results.
What was the most intelligent and unintelligent thing that someone said or wrote about your work?
The most intelligent thing someone said about my work is “Pay attention to the details”. As for unintelligent “I don’t get what you really want to do design, art or illustration? It is difficult to tell when looking at your work.
Do you worry about being copied?
Not really. Even if someone does copy my work, I can move on to create new work. No one can copy my thoughts.
Do you care what your art costs? Please state your reasons.
Yes, I do. It is my livelihood and therefore it is important for me to price my work correctly. Creative work opportunities are very rare in Aichi.
What are the three big ideas that you would like your work to express?
The first two are pathos and “trippy-ness” and the third one is a happening. When I create my work I try and think of a scene or a setting for the characters and then just let the audience interpret it however they like. I try and make the images attractive and hope my audience enjoys them.
How do you start the process of making work?
Sometimes it is based on a real experience but mostly I start by sketching, imagining something or looking through magazines for collage pieces that inspire me.
Why do you think Pick Me Up has been so popular?
Hard to say as I have yet to experience the atmosphere of the fair but I look forward to finding out.
If you could design a FAD product what would it be?
I would’ve liked to design some table wares such as dishes or plates.
What’s next for you?
I have a solo exhibition in Direktorenhaus in Berlin which opens December 2011. Please come over.
Dont forget to enter our PICKMEUP Ticket competition
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