NISHI Takatoku

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NISHI Takatoku

Participating Project	Exchange Residency Program (Japan-based creators sent abroad)
Activity Based	Tokyo
City / Place stayed	Helsinki / HIAP (Helsinki International Artist Programme)
Period	2023.8 - 2023.11

Purpose of the residency

In this programme, I will conduct research on light and architecture in Finland and create spatial works that incorporate the local natural environment. Finland is a country to play with the power of the sun. and it has produced architecture that has skilfully dealt with the sun and the famous architects who have designed it. I want to feel and use measuring instruments to investigate how light is introduced into architecture and how it relates to space and the natural environment.Finally, I will create a spatial work based on each of these researches.

Plan during the residency

• Research on the architecture of light.
• Research on the natural environment.
• Survey of materials and selection of locations for installation of artworks. (Find materials unique to Finland)
• Experiments and Verification with phenomena and materials. (Design of artwork size and spatial composition)
• Creation of spatial works, archive photography.

Activities during the residency

Finland has many beautiful architectural spaces that are created by sunlight, and the distance between the natural environment and humans is fantastic. Nishi researched the relationship between natural light and architectural space and methods from the architecture of Juha Leiviska in his architectural survey in Finland. And from the natural environment, he focused on the movement of birch leaves and reconstructed them with steel. The works created by architectural methods and ideas from the natural environment were presented in the open studio.

Outcome of the residency

After visiting and surveying nearly 100 architectural sites in Finland, I got a glimpse of the characteristics of how to let in the sunlight. The sun's angle is the same in autumn and winter in Japan as it is in summer in Finland. This makes shadows longer even during long daytime in summer, so that the view is also different. It also seems to effect how they think about the sun. It is difficult to find a country that is so economically and culturally advanced yet feels and values the benefits of the sun. This research and experience will be very important for my future work. I haven’t been able to make use of everything at this stage, but first of all, I want to think about spaces where people can experience light even if they are bright, which I have learned about through the architecture of Juha. Also, in terms of the natural environment, there is no boundary between the city and the forest like in Japan, as if, no matter how urban it is, you were in the forest before you knew it. In other words, architecture and nature are close, and I also thought it was an ideal environment for my idea of space. I felt comfortable from the beginning to the end of my stay.
In selecting materials for the works for the open studio, the materials had to be optically effective, easy to process as well as strong, and easy to transport to the island. I asked the HIAP workshop manager for some recommendations for DIY shops, and after a lot of looking around, I came across hanging bands made of steel. Using this material, I reconstructed the movement of the leaves of the birch (Koive, in Finnish), which made the greatest impression on me during my stay. And by using the foundations of the studio, I created a space with a form that is possible only only in this location. On reflection, I could not come up with a structure that would simplify installation and dismantling. I will make use of this experience in the future.
For the open studio at the end of October, I was thinking of a work of a size that would enable us to experience the space, so I kept discussing this with the HIAP staff from the beginning. What surprised me during our discussions was that they were very flexible and always tried to achieve the best possible result considering artists' needs. For example, I had to prepare many proposals before I created the works as I needed permission from the administration to exhibit outside buildings in Suomenlinna, a World Heritage Site, and they revised the proposals each time and worked with me to come up with countermeasures. But to my surprise, permission was granted for the installation on the island, which is a World Heritage Site. Of course, I was lucky, and the people involved were supportive, but at the same time I was surprised at how generous and understanding the people and administration involved in the art in Finland were. The final presentation was changed to an exhibition in the studio due to the time needed for installation and dismantling and the weather conditions, but whole the experience was impressive.
Another impressive event was the news of Juha Leiviska’s death, which I was informed of on the day of my departure. From the very beginning of my visit, I had strongly hoped to make the most of this opportunity and meet Juha. To this end, I tried to make an appointment by searching for contacts, sending emails and asking for information from fellow residents in the curator program, but I could not get a response from him. Now I think he had already retired. Then, on the 10th, the day of my return, while I was on my way to the plane, I was informed that Juha had passed away on the 9th. I wished I had been able to visit him while he was still in good health, but at the same time I felt grateful that I had been able to stay in Helsinki while he was still alive. It was very shocking and unforgettable that someone I admired so much passed away at this time.

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