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12/15/2007
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ARTIST profile
Kaoruko
Kaoruko, known artistically as TOKYOKO, a fresh face from Japan's exciting young art scene asks her viewer's the question - "In a city like Tokyo, what kind of life style do most women live?" In Japan, women are expected to fulfill the Japanese ideal figure with a beautiful, modest and gentle manner. But is it their real style? Through her paintings, drawings and sculptures, TOKYOKO wants to show the real world of the Tokyo Girl we only see behind closed doors.
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Formerly a teen Pop-Star, and her imagery is widely known in Tokyo's young art and pop scene. In addition to her exhibitions of artwork, she has produced music videos for top selling artists, created animated characters and titles for hit Japanese television shows on Nippon Television and Television Tokyo and in 2004, TOKYOKO produced and directed the independent short film "Indie Wars" for Nippon Television.
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- phofa
- You’re known as someone who portrays the everyday life of women, but what kind of theme is in that background?
- Kaoruko
- My portrayals of women are of scenes where one would reveal to another woman, but never to a man. Portraits of a woman sitting in a toilet or playing video game in their underwear, the situations are various, but no matter how close one may be to a man, these situations are never ever revealed to the opposite sex. The drawings are of every day life, almost something you do subconsciously when a woman is alone or with another woman. It’s like peeping in to that scene.
- phofa
- So is that eroticism from a woman’s point-of-view, or from a man’s point-of-view?
- Kaoruko
 It’s really not like that. I’m often asked the same question, but I do not draw my artworks thinking that it’s erotic. For instance, a girl is riding a diet machine in her underwear…to me, this is nothing close to being erotic (laugh). I suppose it may be different looking at it from an objective point-of-view, but it’s really not my intent. Having said that, I’m not saying that my artworks should NOT be looked at from an erotic point-of-view.- phofa
- There are various scenes within your artworks. Are these portrayals of yourself? Or is it something that came out of your imagination?
- Kaoruko
- Before I draw, I take photograph of that particular scene. In essence, you can say that there is a photograph that became the basis of each of my artwork. But in reality, it’s difficult to take “reality” photos of a woman living on her own. When the camera is actually seen, one becomes conscious of it, and it just doesn’t become natural – especially if it’s a one room apartment. It may be easier if I was to ask a friend, but even at that, she probably won’t allow me to easily take photographs of those scenes.
- phofa
- I understand. So you must have these photographs in your studio. When you conduct your solo exhibit in New York, are you planning on showing these photographs as well?
- Kaoruko
 I’ve never revealed the photographs in my past exhibits, but I am planning to show them in New York. Please take this opportunity to view these photos (laugh)! And along side my main drawings, I’m also planning to run a video art, and place 3-dimensional object such as a six meter tall blow-up doll named “Keiko Doll.” One more thing…I received Hajime Okano’s cooperation, and I’ve prepared this unique piece just for this exhibition. I cannot say much more than this right now, but I believe it will be the first execution anywhere in the world using this particular softwear…- phofa
- I understand that this is your first exhibition in New York. How are your feeling right about now?
- Kaoruko
- I get very nervous when I think of how the people in New York will view my artworks… I guess I’m half excited, but half scared. The theme of the solo exhibit is “Key Hole,” and in the entrance of the gallery, we’re preparing a large pink keyhole for the visitors.
- phofa
- To create a “peeping” atmosphere for the visitors (laugh)?
- Kaoruko
- I guess that’s how it’ll be (laughter).
- phofa
- Your drawings of every day lives of ordinary Japanese women in revealing situations. Do you think that it will resonate to the people living in New York?
- Kaoruko
- I can’t say for sure, but when I talk to people from outside of Japan, many still think that that the image of a Japanese woman is that of “Nadeshiko Yamato." Serene, quiet and considerate are something I often hear from people from foreign countries. But don’t you think that there are many commonalities amongst women from all over the world like possessing jealousy and being unexpectedly stronger than men in many areas? Based on which country you grew up or the way you were brought up, women may differ on the surface level, but I tend to believe that the core of the women are more similar - whether you’re an American or a Japanese. So by depicting the life of an every day Tokyo girl, I sincerely hope that my artworks will resonate to them...
- phofa
- When you visit New York, is there anything you’d like to try in particular?
- Kaoruko
- I want to draw the daily life of a local New York girl. I’m assuming her lifestyle would be much different than that of a Japanese girl. For example, I’d imagine that any “thing” placed in a corner of the room would be considerably different?! I’ve drawn a Japanese friend who has lived in New York, but I’ve never drawn the private life of a girl who was born and raised in a different country. But I imagine that it would be difficult to capture “private” scenes on camera to begin with.
- phofa
- So if you become successful at that, you can perhaps go on a journey to capture the private life of women from all parts of the word…?
- Kaoruko
 I’d be ecstatic if I can ever challenge that! I’m assuming that the private life of a girl by country would be considerably different. I can’t begin to imagine the private life of a girl from India, let alone what she may have in her room! I heard that the way people dine is different by country. Just capturing that difference in drawings would be interesting.- phofa
- A trip around the globe sounds like a lot of fun, but I’d imagine that there will be many road blocks along the way… Taking photos of women’s private life seems difficult enough (laughter)! Much like this example, is there a new challenge you’d like to undertake in terms of a way to express your thoughts and feelings?
- Kaoruko
- Various artists already utilize this as canvas, but I’d like to draw on "folding screens." Because it’s folded, I’d imagine that there would be a big difference between a regular two-dimensional artwork. I don’t have anything specific in mind, except that I’d like to draw a woman on these folding screens. If I were to pick another challenge, I’m very much interested in textile design. I really like clothes, so I’d like to be surrounded by fabrics in which I personally designed (smile).
- phofa
- Thank you for taking the time to speak with us just prior to the start of your exhibit. I wish you every success, and please enjoy yourself while you’re there.
- Kaoruko
- Thank you. (smile)
KAORUKO Solo Show “TOKYOKO”
Dates: November 9 - December 14, 2007
Place: Ethan Cohen Fine Arts, 18 Jay Street, New York, NY 10013
Tel: 212-625-1250 (USA)
url: www.ecfa.com
For more information, please contact Yoshimoto Creative Agency at Tel: (03) 5217-6112
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KAORUKO Solo Show “TOKYOKO”
