A statue has been completed, featuring a reinterpretation of "BUTTON," created by the Japanese creator unit MAMES, known for their unique originality, by Anne Valerie Dupond, a globally active French textile sculptor.

Anne Valerie Dupond, whose one-off art piece BE@RBRICK created last year garnered significant attention, now presents an interview. Following our conversation with MAMES, we bring you an interview with Anne Valerie Dupond.

— Please tell us about your journey to becoming an artist.

I've been interested in art since I was a child and studied art at the University of Strasbourg in France. During my student years, I exhibited at a street exhibition and was approached by a gallery. After graduating in 2001, I had the opportunity to exhibit at the Edgar le marchand d’Art gallery in Paris. Fortunately, my works sold well, so I was able to make a living from my art activities right away. I was with that gallery for ten years.

— How did the unique idea of creating sculptures from old fabrics come about?

As a student, I was interested in drawing, but one day, I decided to make a handmade stuffed animal as a gift for a friend's child. As a child, my dream was to make stuffed animals myself. I had no sewing experience, but I thought it wouldn't be too difficult and started with whatever I had around me.

I decided to make a sheep using my old clothes, a mat I found in my grandfather's storage, fabric that reminded me of sheep, needles, black thread, and buttons and stuffing I had nearby. It was more difficult than I expected, and the finished stuffed animal might have been scary for a child.

But once I finished the first one, I immediately wanted to make another. I intuitively felt that making stuffed animals of animals was the beginning of my artistic work, and I continued to make many, like mice, rabbits, cows, and elephants... I presented this project for my graduation exam. That was 20 years ago. Since that day, I have continued to create works using old fabrics and materials I find around me.

— Your works all seem to be imbued with life. What kind of feelings do you put into your creations?

Thank you! Giving life to my creations is the most important thing for me. When I started in art, I wanted to have children. I was young, but it was like a child wanting a child.

A year after giving the handmade stuffed animal as a gift, I was blessed with my first child, as if guided by that stuffed animal. And now, I have three children. I live my life as a mother and as an artist. For me, creating is also like giving birth to new children.

When I make a sculpture, I always add the eyes last to give it life. The expression is the most important thing to me, and I like to give animals and objects human-like expressions.

— How was it collaborating with Japanese fashion brands?

The collaborations with KENZO and UNDERCOVER were distinct experiences. Being able to create a mascot for KENZO when I was younger increased my popularity in France. It was a valuable experience to be able to create with KENZO's fabrics. Making that elephant was very enjoyable, and it remains one of my favorite pieces.

I was also honored to collaborate with UNDERCOVER. I was shy, but I was very happy to meet Jun Takahashi in person and work with him. He saw my work at a gallery in Paris and said he wanted to incorporate inspired elements into his next collection.

It was a great opportunity. I felt it was a privilege to witness him creating. Through our discussions about art, he trusted me, which made everything simple and comfortable, and he created a unique collection based on my vision. It was very exciting!

Actually, I was nearing childbirth during this collaboration and couldn't attend the show on the day of the event. And I gave birth to my daughter the very next day. Therefore, it became an unforgettable collaboration for me, both personally and professionally.

— Your first exhibition in Japan was held in 2017. Please share your impressions of Japan and your thoughts on the exhibition.

That was also a wonderful event. A few years ago, I met Mika Matsunaka, a gallery representative, in France. We built a very good relationship, both professionally and personally, and in 2017, she organized an exhibition for me at her gallery (Gallery de Room 702) in Osaka. She trusts me, so she allowed me complete freedom in the exhibition's content, and it resulted in a fantastic show.

The exhibition mainly featured white sculptures, with my animals and trophies displayed in one room. To make the pieces stand out, she and her husband imported wood from all over the world, creating a space that felt like a real forest. The preparation for the exhibition was very friendly, and it was a happy experience to create an exhibition together like that for the first time.

Despite it being my first visit to Japan, many people came to the exhibition opening. At that time, I created a piece live for the Japanese audience. I was a little nervous, but thanks to everyone's kindness, it became a very lively event. Meeting wonderful people and realizing my work was highly appreciated in Japan moved me to tears.

Mika also introduced me to delicious Japanese food. She took me around Osaka and Kyoto. The shrines and temples were magnificent. After that, I went to Tokyo and truly felt like I had fallen in love with Japan! I made wonderful friends, and above all, I came to love the politeness of the Japanese people.

Last year, I visited Japan again for an exhibition. The theme was "Mythology," and we exhibited hybrid sculptures of animals, which was a great success.

— Several collaboration items with MEDICOM TOY have been released recently. Among them, the ONE OF KIND BE@RBRICK 400% / 1000% released in December 2019 received a huge response. How was it creating a one-off BE@RBRICK?

I was extremely honored to be contacted by MEDICOM TOY and accepted without hesitation. At the same time, BE@RBRICK is legendary, and I felt it was presumptuous of me to create a new model. Honestly, I was also worried about failing.

I usually create sculptures in various shapes using flexible materials, but this work was, in a sense, like creating a costume that perfectly fits the BE@RBRICK shape. However, I didn't even know how to make clothes!

Still, I decided to enjoy this big challenge in my own way, mixing in my signature style, and created various BE@RBRICKs. I was confident and proud of the finished works, so I had no worries. The only difficult part was that the BE@RBRICK is heavier than my usual works, which made my arms ache a little (laughs).

— We'd like to ask about your latest collaboration with MAMES. What were your impressions upon seeing MAMES's work?

The first MAMES piece I saw was "Dancing Cat"! I couldn't help but smile the moment I saw it, and I intuitively felt a connection with my own work. "Dancing Cat" itself has a unique style, and it felt like it came from the same world as my creations. Even looking at their other characters, MAMES's crazy punk style is consistent, and I immediately understood their worldview, which embraces both boyhood and girlhood.

— How did the collaboration with MAMES come about?

During my last visit to Japan, I met President Akashi and the MEDICOM TOY staff in Tokyo. At that time, President Akashi showed me MAMES's drawings and explained, "They like your work and want to create something together." The moment he showed me the sketches, I immediately replied, "Let's do it!" The process that followed was very smooth, and I never imagined it would be so enjoyable.

— What kind of discussions did you have regarding the concept and worldview of the collaboration?

There was no need to discuss it in the first place. Our created monsters communicated with each other in the same language! This was possible because our worldviews aligned, and MAMES's reaction was also very positive.

— How did the production process proceed between France and Japan?

It was a very harmonious atmosphere. The MEDICOM TOY team always shows respect to artists, so they accommodated all my requests. The communication was so smooth that the work proceeded very easily.

Based on the MAMES drawings sent by MEDICOM TOY via email, I created sculptures in my studio in France, and each time, I sent photos and the actual pieces to MEDICOM TOY. Since we communicated well, the geographical distance was not an issue at all.

— Please tell us about the feelings you put into the finished product and your impressions upon seeing it.

I feel proud every time! I was moved to have my work produced as a series. I usually only create one-off pieces, so this collaboration has given a new dimension to my work. The production team did a wonderful job, and I was moved the moment I saw the sample of "Dancing Cat"!

— Did you make any new discoveries through this collaboration with MAMES?

MAMES's drawings are more extreme than my work. And MAMES is darker and crazier than me. I discovered that I could push my own limits with that style. It felt good!

— Is there anything you would like to do with MEDICOM TOY in the future?

Creating new BE@RBRICKs, collaborating with various artists, producing my own works in series... I have so many projects I want to realize! One of MEDICOM TOY's strengths is the breadth of its projects. I am happy to have contributed even a little to that wonderful adventure. I love working with MEDICOM TOY and hope we can continue to do so for a long time to come.

— Finally, please give a message to your fans in Japan.

I am truly grateful to everyone in Japan. The long-standing enthusiasm and support from my fans deeply move me and empower my creativity. In France, reactions to my art can be fickle, which can be disheartening. You may not know it, but you are my most important support.

Anne Valerie Dupond × MAMES "BUTTON" Statue (EDITION30)

MAMES's creation "BUTTON" is reimagined by textile artist Anne Valerie Dupond with her unique sensibility. A miraculous statue capturing that once-in-a-lifetime moment is now available. Additionally, MEDICOM TOY LIFE ENTERTAINMENT will release collaboration T-shirts, tote bags, keychains, and postcard sets from both artists. Scheduled for release in March 2020 at "2G."

Sculpted by Anne Valerie Dupond. Production cooperation: UNBOX industries. Approximately 420mm in height. ¥198,000 (tax included)

KEY CHAINSize: W70mm/H115mm. ¥3,300 (tax included)

POST CARD (10-piece set)
Size: W100mm/H148mm. ¥1,650 (tax included)

(C) MAMES / Anne Valerie Dupond

2G
Location | Shibuya PARCO 2F
15-1 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours | 10:00–21:00 (subject to change)
Tel | 03-6452-5003