Evoking 'ROCK' from Various Angles

For Shigeichi Kuwabara, who runs The Dictionary Club, the 'ROCK' theme for this exhibition isn't about revisiting American counterculture or a nostalgic concept. It's about the imperative placed upon us living in Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake: to live responsibly. How do we confront the anxieties and uncertainties of our current environmental issues? Hints can be found in the 1994 photo collection 'Smile Rock' by Akira Kobayashi, a photo-documentary capturing hippies in Los Angeles and their travels across the US during the Vietnam War era.

Artists exhibiting based on the 'Smile Rock' concept include Seiji Nagai, founder of DEPT; Shinsuke Takizawa of NEIGHBORHOOD; and paper-cutting artist Mikito Ozeki. As a special project, artists such as Enlightenment and Kōji Shirakawa will present evacuation guidance arrows, themed 'art that saves lives (Rock'n Arrow)'. A large arrow-shaped monument created by Chim↑Pom is also slated to appear. This exhibition features a lineup of uniquely talented artists. Among them, we had the opportunity to speak with Mikito Ozeki, a notable paper-cutting artist whose precise, graphic-like works are created with on-the-spot inspiration.

What Intrinsically Captivates Us

Upon seeing his work, my concept of paper cutting was overturned, and I was overwhelmed by its aura. I learned that all his pieces are created freehand, entirely improvised, and exist as unique, unrepeatable originals. I asked him why he chose paper cutting, what influences him, and about his future aspirations.



—Could you tell us about how you started paper cutting, its appeal, and why you focus on freehand creation?
“I always enjoyed drawing, but my experience in judo during my student years led me to seek a sporting element in my creative process. I found paper cutting to be a more expansive medium than painting on a canvas, allowing me to explore limits and unexpected outcomes. Initially, I created works using sketches drawn by hand or on a Mac, but the entire process started to feel like labor, and I temporarily lost my passion for cutting. Then, I was invited to participate in an event and tried improvisational paper cutting for the first time. Escaping the pressure of not being able to fail, I discovered the allure of creating freehand, without being constrained by preliminary sketches. I also leverage the characteristics of paper cutting in how I display my work, avoiding fixed presentations and preventing a singular, static image. I also don't impose limitations on the types of paper or materials I use.”



—Are there any particular influences on your work?
“I enjoy sports and soul music. I'm drawn to things that are intrinsically captivating to humans, things that possess an inherent narrative that can occur in everyday life, things that can't be expressed in words. I'm greatly influenced by creations that emerge spontaneously rather than those made for exhibition, and by a sense of live performance.”
—What about your future creative endeavors?
“Initially, I felt that creating works by cutting paper had little value, but gradually I've gained support. Nothing in this world is truly wasted. Paper cutting can express strength through simple combinations of lines, and it remains an art form with much unexplored potential. I want to delve deeper, constantly challenge myself, and continue to create new works.”

We encourage you to experience the overwhelming world and the power of paper cutting created by Mr. Ozeki firsthand at the venue.





'Smile Rock again' Exhibition
Dates | Ongoing until Saturday, February 18th
Hours | Tuesdays to Saturdays 13:00–19:00, Sundays 13:00–18:00 (Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Venue | The Dictionary Club
1-2-5 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3463-3475
Closed | Mondays
Admission Free
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