Aoi Yamada, an expressive artist who made the leap to Tokyo for high school, navigates a vibrant landscape of creativity, from international stages to the innovative works of independent artists. Her journey began in childhood, when dance became her voice—a powerful form of physical expression in a time when words eluded her. As she continues to delve into her unique artistic identity, Yamada embodies the essence of art: a realm that often defies verbal expression.
At Art Week Tokyo (AWT), she discovered works that echoed her own experiences, inviting her into ‘unknown encounters.’ Clad in a costume adorned with prints of her homemade bento, Yamada graced the KOSAKU KANECHIKA at the TERRADA ART COMPLEX, where contemporary art thrives. In this space, she spoke of art as a joyful exchange with fellow ‘living, breathing people,’ embracing its beauty without pretension.
INDEX
Encountering Art: I simply love colors. My colorful and joyful experiences have continued to this day.
-Could you share what initially drew you to art?
AOI YAMADA: During my childhood, I had limited opportunities to engage with art, but I always had a variety of art supplies, such as paints and crayons, readily available. Being somewhat shy, I preferred to quietly draw and experiment with colors on my own rather than engage in conversation with others.
I enjoyed dissolving paint in water to create different colors and even dropping stones into that colored water. My affinity for colors has persisted; I often wear clothing inspired by the vibrant bento I prepare almost daily. It feels as though the colorful and joyful moments from my childhood have continued to resonate with me to this day.
Dancer/Actor. She performed a solo act at the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, participated in the dam-type performance “2020,” and acted in the Netflix drama “First Love” and Wim Wenders’ film “PERFECT DAYS.” She also choreographed the music video for Hikaru Utada’s “Nan Iro Demo Nai Hana” and has been involved in narrating NHK’s “Document 72 Hours,” expanding her activities through both body and voice. Additionally, she is part of the performance collective “Tokyo QQQ,” where she continues to create. Every day, she prepares bento for her husband.
Aoi will participate in the group exhibition “GROUP SHOW: 4 ARTISTS” at KOSAKU KANECHIKA (exhibition period: August 31 to September 28, 2024), showcasing her creations while dressed in attire printed with her homemade bento.
The group exhibition we viewed together today at KOSAKU KANECHIKA (Tennoz) featured many wonderful works utilizing colors, including paintings and embroidery. Was there a piece that left a lasting impression on you?
AOI YAMADA: Perhaps the works of Junko Oki. They are intricate pieces that differ from the more commonly known forms of embroidery, with delicate stitching layered onto fabric. While many may be curious about the materials and techniques used, I focused more on imagining the stories behind the works rather than their technical aspects. I enjoy art by freely expanding my imagination and interpreting the pieces in a way that resonates with my own experiences, without worrying about whether my interpretations are “correct.”
From the moment I saw Oki’s work, I felt a profound warmth and wondered, “Where does this warmth come from?” I took my time observing her pieces. Learning that some were created using items left behind by her mother made me feel the power of love embedded in each stitch and the weight of time accumulated in her work.
INDEX
Inspiration from Art That Unveils the Subconscious
You’ve continued to perform in video art and at art events, increasing your engagement with contemporary art year by year. How do you incorporate the inspiration you receive from art into your performances?
AoiYamada: Recently, I’ve been working on reviving and incorporating into my performances the feelings and experiences I have unconsciously encountered in my daily life. It’s a process of bringing awareness from the outside back to the inside. Oki’s works may also excavate deep-seated memories and landscapes within the heart. While the process of recognizing what lies in the subconscious can be challenging, I believe it is an essential aspect of being an expressive artist.
It’s about diving deep within oneself, isn’t it?
AoiYamada: Additionally, I make a conscious effort to sharpen my visual and auditory senses. I learned that the painter Yutaka Aoki, whose work I saw in this exhibition, consistently approaches light in his painting practice. When his metallic and material works were displayed against the gallery’s stark white walls, it felt as though a switch was flipped, instantly heightening my awareness of light.
INDEX
Art Appreciation Followed by a Trip to the Sento
Do you often visit art spots like museums and galleries?
AoiYamada: On my days off, I often go to museums and galleries with my husband in the morning, then take a break at my favorite public bath, and later discuss our impressions of the exhibits over dinner.
Soaking in the bath helps reset my mind and organize my thoughts. When we talk in that state, the conversation becomes lively and enjoyable. Lately, I’ve been too busy to carve out that time, but it’s one of my favorite ways to spend a day off.
I hope that more individuals can experience contemporary art with the same sense of freedom as you.
Aoi Yamada: While contemporary art often carries a perception of complexity, it is fundamentally created by living, breathing individuals just like ourselves. When I engage with art, I contemplate the artist behind the work. For instance, considering questions such as, “What kind of love might this artist be experiencing?” enhances my enjoyment and fosters a deeper connection to the art.
What I interpret as “blue” or “light” may hold a different significance for others. I derive great pleasure from envisioning those varied interpretations.
INDEX
Listening Before Seeking Answers in Art
Many people seem to feel a sense of frustration in the state of “wanting to understand but not being able to” when it comes to contemporary art, perceiving it as a high barrier. How do you navigate the feeling of “not understanding”?
AoiYamada: I understand that it’s completely normal not to grasp everything right away. After all, there’s no way we can fully comprehend the themes and backgrounds that an artist might have spent countless hours exploring, especially during our first encounter with their work.
Instead of taking a passive approach, I try to engage actively with art. It’s not just a casual experience; it often requires a lot of energy and involvement.
While artists might not be able to explain their work to each of us directly, the artwork itself speaks to us. Rather than immediately looking for answers, I prefer to first really listen to what the piece is trying to convey.
INDEX
Meaningful Artworks from Yamada’s Formative Teenage Years
I feel Aoi’s kindness and warmth in her words about ‘seeking out’ and ‘listening to the messages of the artwork.’ Does this feeling stem from her own experiences of being welcomed by others?
Aoi Yamada: That might be the case. Like anyone else, there are times when I don’t have enough energy to fully engage with art, and other times when my creative drive is so strong that I end up overlooking other people’s work. In those situations, I often come back to the art at a later time.
Still, many of my fans come to embrace my expressions and discover their own ways to enjoy them. I also sometimes feel like the artwork itself welcomes me. For example, my favorite costume artist, Kozue Hibino, creates costumes for a dance performance series called “UP AND DOWN,” which is themed around fairy tales. When I attended one of those performances recently, it really lifted my spirits.
You moved to Tokyo alone at 16, but are there any artworks from your teenage years that hold special significance for you?
Aoi Yamada: One experience that still resonates with me is seeing “The Tailor’s Circus,” organized by musician Daiho Soga, along with Ghandi (CINEMA dub MONKS) and fashion designer Takayuki Suzuki.
“The Tailor’s Circus” features very few spoken words, yet it powerfully conveys emotions that words alone can’t express—sharpness, cries, and warmth. Experiencing it helped lift the worries I had at the time, opening my eyes to a whole new perspective on the world.
