LOUNGE /
ART
February 20, 2015
Fleeting yet Joyful: Spring Painted with Art and Fragrance | ISSEY MIYAKE
ISSEY MIYAKE
Installation by Mademoiselle Maurice
Ephemeral yet Joyful Art, Like the Scent of Spring (1)
Mademoiselle Maurice, who designed the graphics for the packaging and bottle of "L’EAU D’ISSEY CITY BLOSSOM," released on February 25th (Wednesday), visited Japan. We spoke with her about the spring-themed installations taking place in four cities worldwide and her encounter with origami.
Text by IKEGAMI Hiroko (OPENERS)
—You've received commissions from various brands and companies, including Louis Vuitton. What were your thoughts on this project?
Mademoiselle MauriceI was surprised and very happy when I first heard about it. ISSEY MIYAKE is a special brand for me, as I've lived in Japan before, so I readily accepted. I'm very honored to be able to participate in a project like this.
—This time, you're not only responsible for the graphic design of the bottle and packaging but also participating in events held in four cities around the world.
Mademoiselle MauriceYes. I'm creating installations at ISSEY MIYAKE flagship stores in Tokyo, London, New York, and Paris. It's art themed around spring, but the works differ for each city and its image. For Tokyo, I was inspired by cherry blossoms. ISSEY MIYAKE/AOYAMA is located on a very fashionable street, so I was delighted to be able to perform a live installation there.
A 29-year-old French artist. She continues to create works that are closely related to her daily life, fusing origami, lace, embroidery, and multiple techniques. Her work is not confined to interiors but is also installed in public spaces such as building and road exteriors. Her positive and strongly message-driven creations are gaining attention worldwide.
—Why did you choose cherry blossoms?
Mademoiselle MauriceCherry blossoms are very important to Japanese people. Everyone loves hanami (cherry blossom viewing), too. I hope that by seeing my work, people can enjoy a hanami-like atmosphere, even if it's a bit early.
The large windows of the Aoyama boutique face the street, so many people were watching me work with interest. From small children to adults, many stopped to look, and I could hear exclamations like "Wow." I really enjoyed the process of creation. Unfortunately, my Japanese wasn't good enough for further communication...
—It looks like cherry blossoms have bloomed all over ISSEY MIYAKE/AOYAMA. Such a large-scale work must have taken a considerable amount of time to create?
Mademoiselle MauriceIt took until past 2 AM after starting in the afternoon. Of course, I fold the origami in advance to prepare. Then, I compose each part based on my feelings. I create the work on the spot, as inspiration strikes.
ISSEY MIYAKE
Installation by Mademoiselle Maurice
Ephemeral yet Joyful Art, Like the Scent of Spring (2)
—Why do you use origami in your artwork in the first place?
Mademoiselle MauriceI lived in Japan for about a year, and during my stay, I encountered origami and became interested in it. It was also a time when I was exploring the direction and methods of my own work.
Furthermore, during my stay, I experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake, and that's when I encountered origami again. I heard news about people folding senbazuru (a thousand origami cranes) hoping that those who hadn't been found yet would be saved. Until then, my interest was purely in origami as a form of sculpture, but I learned about the power of origami as a medium imbued with people's emotions.
After returning to France, I researched and learned that Sadako Sasaki, who inspired the Children's Peace Monument in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, also folded senbazuru in the hospital, wishing for recovery. Just as Japanese people imbue senbazuru with wishes for peace, I decided to create my works with emotions embedded in origami.
—What do you want to convey through your origami artworks?
Mademoiselle MauriceEach piece of origami represents an individual. Like a city, people gather in one place and then disperse again. My art is the same. After a certain period, it's dismantled, and nothing remains. But the positive energy when people gather is incredible, isn't it? I want people to feel that positive emotion.
—That ephemeral, delicate quality is also reminiscent of spring flowers.
Mademoiselle MauricePerhaps so. This time, I created the work with the image of fresh, urban nature, petals fluttering, and birds flying. I truly hope people can feel the fresh spring through both the artwork and the fragrance.
The limited-edition spring 2015 fragrance created by perfumer Alberto Morillas. Praised as a master of musk, he envisioned flowers blooming amidst concrete. A floral woody fragrance evoking fresh blossoms.
L'EAU D'ISSEY CITY BLOSSOM Eau de Toilette
Price and Volume | ¥10,692 (50mL), ¥14,256 (90mL)
Bluebell Japan Inc.
Tel. 03-5413-1070