A Gaze of Friendship: Special Talk Event at the Exhibition "Close and Far - Ittetsu Matsuoka and the Universe of Atelier Yamanami" [Part 2]

The exhibition "Close to Distance - Matsuoka Ittetsu and the Universe of Atelier Yamanami " is a collaborative exhibition of works created by photographer Matsuoka Ittetsu, with drawings by Atelier Yamanami artists Yoshida Rikuto , Ino Yuki , Oji Yuya , and NANA layered over the photographs of the photographer.

In the first part, Matsuoka Ittetsu, Yamanami Kobo facility director Yamashita Kanwa, artists Yoshida Rikuto and Ino Yuki, and Park Rina of Heralbony, who planned the event, took to the stage.

Yamanami Studio: We explored the background of this encounter, the conversation leading up to the launch of the experiment of "drawing on photographs," and the thoughts behind the title "Distant Closeness."
→ [ Part 1 is here ]

In this article, the second part, we will focus on the relationship between Yoshida Rikuto and Ino Yuki - " Rikuto & Inocchi " - which was discussed as the climax of the talk event .

We pursue the rhythm that transcends words, the time spent drawing while laughing, and the form of "distant closeness" that emerges from the perspective of "friendship."

A relationship born from laughter

Boku: Yoshida Rikuto and Ino Yuki, do you two always draw together?

Yamashita: That's right. Originally, Yoshida was drawing, and one day Ino was watching next to him and asked, "Can I draw too?" That's how it all started. From then on, the "Rikuto (Yoshida) & Inocchi (Ino)" duo was born naturally.

Yoshida and Ino: (playing around)

Matsuoka: It's true, watching the exchange between those two is a joy. They're trying to make each other laugh, but the moment they pick up their pens, the atmosphere changes. That transition is amazing.

Yamashita: (To Ino) What did you write here?

Ino: "Home"

Yamashita: I heard from his family that he liked looking at the cross-sections of real estate advertisements that were delivered to his mailbox. He said that this was a "house." I don't think there's any house like that (laughs).

Matsuoka: This colorful motif with marks on the connecting parts. This is the blueprint for the house, right?

Ino: At home, with my dad, mom, and older brother...

Yamashita: What kind of living room and kitchen is that? (laughs)

Matsuoka: That's interesting. What about Rikuto?

Yamashita: I'm in a pretty embarrassing mood (laughs).

Rikuto: (talking)
(Playing with Ino-san along the way)

Matsuoka: This exchange is irresistible (laughs).

Rikuto: (speaking with a smile)

Yamashita: Last year, I went to Africa with Rikuto, Heralbony, and JICA. I went to the airport without knowing anything, got on the plane, and took off. I was so surprised I clung to my chair (laughs). I'm talking about it now (laughs).

Everyone: Everyone bursts into laughter.

Yamashita: When you go to Africa, the language, culture, and rules are all different, but the people there connect through art.

Matsuoka: It's truly a "language" of communication. It's closer to a gut feeling than words.

Yamashita: I think what happened in Africa has given him confidence. Even now, whenever he sees the airport on TV, he happily talks about how he clung to the chair.

Rhythm conveys more than words

Boku: Mr. Matsuoka, what kind of communication did you have with the two of them while working on the project?

Matsuoka: To be honest, we hardly ever communicate with words. When Rikuto speaks, Ino "translates" for me a little. Then, when I speak, Ino relays it back to Rikuto. It's like a "game of telephone" between the three of us (laughs), but somehow we can communicate. It's not the meaning, but the rhythm that gets through to us.

Yamashita: That's right, there's a rhythm between the two of them. Even if you don't understand what they're talking about, it's still a proper "conversation."

Matsuoka: Words are useful, but at the same time, I think they're also the thing that creates the most distance. Sometimes, when you think you understand something, you can't really see it. But when I'm with them, I feel like it's okay not to understand. And that's what makes me feel comfortable.

What is normal?

Boku: The two of you look so natural in the photos you took. It made me think again about what "normal" means.

Matsuoka: That's right. In Japan, "correctness" and "efficiency" always take priority. But when I look at them, I see that time passes in a more human way. They don't care what other people think, and they can say that they like what they like. I think that's what true "normal" is.

Yamashita: They don't dislike or have any weaknesses. They're on equal footing with everyone and give a sense of security. That's why they're such a special pair in Yamanami. It's like "just being there lightens the mood."

Yoshida and Ino: (playing around)

Matsuoka: ...That was a great exchange (laughs)

A “close yet distant” relationship

Boku: The title, "Closeness at a Distance," really seems to describe the relationship between the two of you.

Matsuoka: I really think so. There's no need to understand each other perfectly, and you'll never be the same. Even if you remain "distant," you can still get closer. I think that's the ideal form of human relationships.

Yamashita: I feel the same way. The word "support" is often used in welfare, but if you get too close, it can be overwhelming. But it's important to maintain a distance and be there quietly.

Boku: That's exactly what Heralbony's philosophy is about. It's not about "easy-to-understand empathy," but about a relationship of "simply being together." As I listened to this talk, I felt like those words were taking shape.

Welfare facility site

Matsuoka: When I visited Atelier Yamanami, I realized that the real heroes are the staff who support them on the ground. They and I are on the expressive side, but this world exists because of the gazes of those who support us. I really wanted to convey that, so I actually included those words in the final draft of my message for the exhibition. However, I ended up cutting them out due to the balance with the exhibition.

Yamashita: Thank you. But we are supported by them. It's always thanks to them that I can think, "Today was fun, too." No matter how tired I am, when I see their smiles, everything else becomes meaningless (laughs).

Boku: Listening to you talk, the word "support" seems to be turned upside down. It seems like you're supporting, but you're also being supported. I think that's true symbiosis.

A work called "Friendship"

*The above is a drawing by Yoshida (left) with "Untitled #28" and by Ino (right) with "Untitled #29" on a photo of a "torso" taken by Matsuoka when he visited Yamanami Studio.

Towards an endless dialogue

Text, composition and editing: Heralbony Park Rina Photo provided by: Noguchi Karin

[Artist introduction]
Rikuto Yoshida
Yuki Ino
Ittetsu Matsuoka