"Dialogue: JUTA SVOGG"
Hello.
This is Aoyagi.
I met JUTA through the "APPLEBUM × JUTA SVOGG" collaboration.
We are close in age and have been influenced by similar cultures, so we have great conversations every time we meet!
This column is a conversation with JUTA.
We had the opportunity to hear a lot about how the collaboration came about, as well as JUTA's thoughts on art.
Please take a look!
Aoyagi (hereinafter: Ao) : First of all, may I talk again about how this collaboration came about?
JUTA (hereinafter: J) : Yes.
Ao : Well, I know about it...
(Everyone laughs)
J : As for the details, I wonder when it happened.
Earlier this spring, I had the opportunity to display my paintings and apparel at the JAZZY SPORT event held at Tokyu Plaza in Omotesando.
APPLEBUM designer Miyao and staff member Saito were there.
I think it was the day that JAZZY SPORT and APPLEBUM launched their collaborative items.
That day, I met Miyao-san and Saito-san for the first time, but when I came up the escalator, the jacket Miyao-san was wearing was a Nas piece (APPLEBUM × Nas collaboration jacket), and I couldn't ignore it, so I took a second look. (laughs)
Ao : Was it JUTA who approached you?
J : That was the intention when I approached him, but Miyao came to the booth where my work was being exhibited and we talked.
I'll never forget when he saw my work and praised it, saying, "It's so cute!"
I immediately responded, "Thank you very much. I've been wondering about that jacket for a while now..." and we had a conversation like that, and it went from there.
Ao : That's right.
J : We just exchanged greetings that day and ended with the feeling that it would be nice if we could do something together next time.
A few months later, I received an offer email from Miyao-san, and I was like, "Whoa!" (laughs).
After exchanging emails a few times, Mr. Sakaguchi, the representative of APPLEBUM, came to see me when I held another solo exhibition at a gallery in Sendagaya.
After that, we had a meeting to discuss the upcoming West Coast exhibition, and I also met Shin (Aoyagi).
Ao : I was pretty close to the end. (laughs)
J : That's right. The last one is Shin-san. (laughs)
Ao : Everyone in the company was saying how cute JUTA's work was.
J : Thank you.
Ao : By the way, what made you want to start drawing?
J : My mother told me that I've loved drawing since I was little, and I still love it today.
Ao : There wasn't any particular trigger, so you've been drawing since you were really little?
J : That's right.
However, the turning point for me as an artist was when I was studying abroad.
For some reason, many of the friends I met were attending art school, and I had many opportunities to meet creators from various genres, such as art, architecture, fabrics, and apparel, and I was greatly influenced by them.
Ao : Was that when you started thinking about making it your job?
J : That was pretty big.
Meeting them made me think that I would like to do that someday.
I feel like I have set a goal of "Let's do it!"
That was around 18 or 19 years old.
Ao : I see.
So, JUTA, is there anything you pay the most attention to when drawing?
J : It's a matter of feeling, but I guess the first thing is the color.
It's not really my own branding, but to put it bluntly, I'm trying to create something that even a baby would recognize as JUTA.
Blue : It certainly is a distinctive use of color.
When you look at the original images and photographs with your own eyes, do you see the colors as they are expressed in the painting?
J : Hmm.
Not all of them are like this, but there are some patterns that can be seen.
Ao : So, do you sometimes think about the color when you paint, and other times just paint with the color that you see intuitively?
J : That's right. Yes.
Ao : The sampling material is also great.
J : Nowadays, the best compliment I can get is if someone cuts that out.
When I discovered hip-hop, the first thing I did was make beats.
When you make a beat, you sample, right?
Apparently this part of a song by an 80's jazz singer is the joke.
I find it fascinating that they are just cutting out this part, so I am conscious of how to find material, cut it out and sublimate it in my own way.
Ao : It's similar to making beats.
J : Yes, I think they are exactly the same.
Ao : What's more, what I find distinctive about JUTA's paintings is the faces.
J : Oh, yes, that's right.
Ao : Was this something you were conscious of?
J : This started when I was little, and for some reason I would unconsciously draw people with high noses.
Ao : Oh, I see.
Without realizing it?
J : I didn't notice.
It's easy to draw.
However, sometimes I drew in a completely different style, and sometimes the images were so realistic that they were almost disgusting.
I've had the style of keeping my whole face tight and my nose pointing out for a while, but I've actually been consciously trying to establish it now, and it's finally starting to take shape recently.
It's been about the last three years.
It's not just about the colors I mentioned earlier, but I would like the artwork to be something that anyone who sees it will know is a JUTA painting.
Ao : It's important to have a weapon that only JUTA can use.
My next question is, what is the appeal of drawing?
J : That's difficult.
Ao : I've been drawing since I was really little, so I guess it's natural?
J : Hmm.
I don't know why, but when I look at various photos and videos, there are moments when I think, "This is it!" and I feel like drawing it.
I want to encrypt it in my own way, or transmit the information through my own filter.
For example, I think Shin-san said earlier, "Is this the scene?" and I think the timing with which he empathizes with the scene I've created is what's so fascinating about him.
Ao : It's so satisfying when you feel empathy!
By the way, when did you start using this type of culture as a subject?
J : It's a common story, but it all started when I started listening to Japanese hip hop around the latter half of elementary school or middle school.
In my generation, bands like Kick the Can Crew and Dragon Ash were popular.
Ao : It was really popular.
Do you then start listening to overseas artists?
J : That's right.
However, at first I had a hard time getting used to Western music.
And that's how I met Nujabes.
It was such a big shock to me that I started listening to instrumental music and songs with overseas rappers.
That's when I started making beats.
Nujabes was the one who introduced me to sampling.
I was looking up sampling collections online and didn't understand it at first, but then I realized that's what it meant.
Ao : And that is still reflected in the painting you do now.
J : Yes, that's right. No doubt about it.
Ao : This time we narrowed the theme down to West Side. Was this a suggestion from JUTA?
J : I think it was from our CEO, Mr. Sakaguchi.
We exchanged a lot of messages, and I even received a request for East Coast material, but we all agreed that it would be easy to understand and that we should "put it all together in a West Coast style!"
Ao : Muneo-san, you really love West Coast. (laughs)
What West Side songs do you think are best, JUTA?
J : (After thinking for about 3 seconds) 2pac after all.
Blue : Yes yes yes yes.
J : Umm, 2pac's "To Live & Die In LA."
In the music video, 2pac is driving around in a car with a young girl.
Ao : It was a surprising song from JUTA, who always gives off a calm impression (laughs).
J : (laughs)
The literal translation of the title is "Live in Los Angeles, Die in Los Angeles," which I think is perfect.
Ao : I see.
Now, here's the last question!
Please give a message to people who want to become artists in the future.
J : Eh! (Looks confused)
I'm not in a position to say that. (laughs)
Blue : No, no, no, no.
J : But I wonder.
We hold art exhibitions quite frequently, and we tend to narrow down the themes to make them easy to understand.
That's exactly what the current "Wesley Exhibition" is like.
Also, as I said at the beginning, I think it's important that people know it's JUTA at a glance.
I think originality is more important than good art.
Blue : I totally understand that.
We are also very conscious of "originality."
J : That's right.
Ao : I have more questions, but I guess it's something like this.
Saito [APPLEBUM Staff] (hereafter referred to as Sai) : By the way...
This time it's a Western Europe exhibition, but JUTA, do you prefer East or West?
J : Wow, that's difficult!
(Everyone laughs)
Sai : I wanted to ask this. (laughs)
J : But, West Coast has a party tune feel, while Eastern has a cool, cold feel, so I'd say Eastern is easier to listen to.
It's cool and stylish.
Sai : I see.
I feel a sense of closeness (lol)
Of course I like West Coast music, but there are good things about East Coast music too!
Do you usually incorporate more of the East or the West into your work?
J : There's a lot of both.
I won't lean towards either one.
I draw pictures that I really love and want to draw.
So maybe next year it'll be the East Side exhibition? Lol
Ao & Sai : Please come! !
Sai : Then the year after next will be South (laughs).
J : You can do it as many times as you want. (laughs)
==========
It was a fun conversation that really showed JUTA's good personality.
We were able to directly sense JUTA's passion for art and black culture, and it was a truly enriching experience.
The art exhibition at Kinetics (Harajuku) will run until Sunday, November 17th.
JUTA will also be present!
If you haven't visited yet, don't miss this opportunity.
Click here for "APPLEBUM × JUTA SVOGG" collaboration products
This is Aoyagi.
I met JUTA through the "APPLEBUM × JUTA SVOGG" collaboration.
We are close in age and have been influenced by similar cultures, so we have great conversations every time we meet!
This column is a conversation with JUTA.
We had the opportunity to hear a lot about how the collaboration came about, as well as JUTA's thoughts on art.
Please take a look!
Aoyagi (hereinafter: Ao) : First of all, may I talk again about how this collaboration came about?
JUTA (hereinafter: J) : Yes.
Ao : Well, I know about it...
(Everyone laughs)
J : As for the details, I wonder when it happened.
Earlier this spring, I had the opportunity to display my paintings and apparel at the JAZZY SPORT event held at Tokyu Plaza in Omotesando.
APPLEBUM designer Miyao and staff member Saito were there.
I think it was the day that JAZZY SPORT and APPLEBUM launched their collaborative items.
That day, I met Miyao-san and Saito-san for the first time, but when I came up the escalator, the jacket Miyao-san was wearing was a Nas piece (APPLEBUM × Nas collaboration jacket), and I couldn't ignore it, so I took a second look. (laughs)
Ao : Was it JUTA who approached you?
J : That was the intention when I approached him, but Miyao came to the booth where my work was being exhibited and we talked.
I'll never forget when he saw my work and praised it, saying, "It's so cute!"
I immediately responded, "Thank you very much. I've been wondering about that jacket for a while now..." and we had a conversation like that, and it went from there.
Ao : That's right.
J : We just exchanged greetings that day and ended with the feeling that it would be nice if we could do something together next time.
A few months later, I received an offer email from Miyao-san, and I was like, "Whoa!" (laughs).
After exchanging emails a few times, Mr. Sakaguchi, the representative of APPLEBUM, came to see me when I held another solo exhibition at a gallery in Sendagaya.
After that, we had a meeting to discuss the upcoming West Coast exhibition, and I also met Shin (Aoyagi).
Ao : I was pretty close to the end. (laughs)
J : That's right. The last one is Shin-san. (laughs)
Ao : Everyone in the company was saying how cute JUTA's work was.
J : Thank you.
Ao : By the way, what made you want to start drawing?
J : My mother told me that I've loved drawing since I was little, and I still love it today.
Ao : There wasn't any particular trigger, so you've been drawing since you were really little?
J : That's right.
However, the turning point for me as an artist was when I was studying abroad.
For some reason, many of the friends I met were attending art school, and I had many opportunities to meet creators from various genres, such as art, architecture, fabrics, and apparel, and I was greatly influenced by them.
Ao : Was that when you started thinking about making it your job?
J : That was pretty big.
Meeting them made me think that I would like to do that someday.
I feel like I have set a goal of "Let's do it!"
That was around 18 or 19 years old.
Ao : I see.
So, JUTA, is there anything you pay the most attention to when drawing?
J : It's a matter of feeling, but I guess the first thing is the color.
It's not really my own branding, but to put it bluntly, I'm trying to create something that even a baby would recognize as JUTA.
Blue : It certainly is a distinctive use of color.
When you look at the original images and photographs with your own eyes, do you see the colors as they are expressed in the painting?
J : Hmm.
Not all of them are like this, but there are some patterns that can be seen.
Ao : So, do you sometimes think about the color when you paint, and other times just paint with the color that you see intuitively?
J : That's right. Yes.
Ao : The sampling material is also great.
J : Nowadays, the best compliment I can get is if someone cuts that out.
When I discovered hip-hop, the first thing I did was make beats.
When you make a beat, you sample, right?
Apparently this part of a song by an 80's jazz singer is the joke.
I find it fascinating that they are just cutting out this part, so I am conscious of how to find material, cut it out and sublimate it in my own way.
Ao : It's similar to making beats.
J : Yes, I think they are exactly the same.
Ao : What's more, what I find distinctive about JUTA's paintings is the faces.
J : Oh, yes, that's right.
Ao : Was this something you were conscious of?
J : This started when I was little, and for some reason I would unconsciously draw people with high noses.
Ao : Oh, I see.
Without realizing it?
J : I didn't notice.
It's easy to draw.
However, sometimes I drew in a completely different style, and sometimes the images were so realistic that they were almost disgusting.
I've had the style of keeping my whole face tight and my nose pointing out for a while, but I've actually been consciously trying to establish it now, and it's finally starting to take shape recently.
It's been about the last three years.
It's not just about the colors I mentioned earlier, but I would like the artwork to be something that anyone who sees it will know is a JUTA painting.
Ao : It's important to have a weapon that only JUTA can use.
My next question is, what is the appeal of drawing?
J : That's difficult.
Ao : I've been drawing since I was really little, so I guess it's natural?
J : Hmm.
I don't know why, but when I look at various photos and videos, there are moments when I think, "This is it!" and I feel like drawing it.
I want to encrypt it in my own way, or transmit the information through my own filter.
For example, I think Shin-san said earlier, "Is this the scene?" and I think the timing with which he empathizes with the scene I've created is what's so fascinating about him.
Ao : It's so satisfying when you feel empathy!
By the way, when did you start using this type of culture as a subject?
J : It's a common story, but it all started when I started listening to Japanese hip hop around the latter half of elementary school or middle school.
In my generation, bands like Kick the Can Crew and Dragon Ash were popular.
Ao : It was really popular.
Do you then start listening to overseas artists?
J : That's right.
However, at first I had a hard time getting used to Western music.
And that's how I met Nujabes.
It was such a big shock to me that I started listening to instrumental music and songs with overseas rappers.
That's when I started making beats.
Nujabes was the one who introduced me to sampling.
I was looking up sampling collections online and didn't understand it at first, but then I realized that's what it meant.
Ao : And that is still reflected in the painting you do now.
J : Yes, that's right. No doubt about it.
Ao : This time we narrowed the theme down to West Side. Was this a suggestion from JUTA?
J : I think it was from our CEO, Mr. Sakaguchi.
We exchanged a lot of messages, and I even received a request for East Coast material, but we all agreed that it would be easy to understand and that we should "put it all together in a West Coast style!"
Ao : Muneo-san, you really love West Coast. (laughs)
What West Side songs do you think are best, JUTA?
J : (After thinking for about 3 seconds) 2pac after all.
Blue : Yes yes yes yes.
J : Umm, 2pac's "To Live & Die In LA."
In the music video, 2pac is driving around in a car with a young girl.
Ao : It was a surprising song from JUTA, who always gives off a calm impression (laughs).
J : (laughs)
The literal translation of the title is "Live in Los Angeles, Die in Los Angeles," which I think is perfect.
Ao : I see.
Now, here's the last question!
Please give a message to people who want to become artists in the future.
J : Eh! (Looks confused)
I'm not in a position to say that. (laughs)
Blue : No, no, no, no.
J : But I wonder.
We hold art exhibitions quite frequently, and we tend to narrow down the themes to make them easy to understand.
That's exactly what the current "Wesley Exhibition" is like.
Also, as I said at the beginning, I think it's important that people know it's JUTA at a glance.
I think originality is more important than good art.
Blue : I totally understand that.
We are also very conscious of "originality."
J : That's right.
Ao : I have more questions, but I guess it's something like this.
Saito [APPLEBUM Staff] (hereafter referred to as Sai) : By the way...
This time it's a Western Europe exhibition, but JUTA, do you prefer East or West?
J : Wow, that's difficult!
(Everyone laughs)
Sai : I wanted to ask this. (laughs)
J : But, West Coast has a party tune feel, while Eastern has a cool, cold feel, so I'd say Eastern is easier to listen to.
It's cool and stylish.
Sai : I see.
I feel a sense of closeness (lol)
Of course I like West Coast music, but there are good things about East Coast music too!
Do you usually incorporate more of the East or the West into your work?
J : There's a lot of both.
I won't lean towards either one.
I draw pictures that I really love and want to draw.
So maybe next year it'll be the East Side exhibition? Lol
Ao & Sai : Please come! !
Sai : Then the year after next will be South (laughs).
J : You can do it as many times as you want. (laughs)
==========
It was a fun conversation that really showed JUTA's good personality.
We were able to directly sense JUTA's passion for art and black culture, and it was a truly enriching experience.
The art exhibition at Kinetics (Harajuku) will run until Sunday, November 17th.
JUTA will also be present!
If you haven't visited yet, don't miss this opportunity.
Click here for "APPLEBUM × JUTA SVOGG" collaboration products
[JUTA SVOGG]
An illustrator living in Akita.
Inspired by the movie "8 Mile," he went to the United States alone to study abroad in 2011.
After returning to Japan, he launched his own brand "SVOGG" in 2013 and began creating illustrations and silkscreen printing.
In recent years, under the name "YARDO," he has been working on graphics for a wide range of clients, including domestic and international companies, musicians, and restaurants.
instagram: jutasvogg
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