FOLLOWING KENGO KUMA'S FOOTSTEPS
A TRAVEL DIARY BY YANN AUDIC
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The Autumn winter 2020 collection is inspired by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.
"Modern meets tradition" is one of the many principles that the architect shares with Clergerie.
Our house, just like the work of Kengo Kuma, combines simplicity and innovative design, craftsmanship and noble and innovative materials.
This season, we have invited Yann Audic, a fashion photographer who loves Japan, to take us in the footsteps of Kengo Kuma.
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AS A TRAVELER AND LOVER OF JAPAN, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS COUNTRY ?
First of all, it is a love relationship because my wife is Japanese. So, I am first in love with a Japanese woman who turns out to be an architect. She therefore shared with me her admiration for her peers : Sanaa, Toyo Ito or the designer Oki Sato. And of course, Kengo Kuma. I love the everyday life in Japan, this somehow daily invisible culture. It is a bit the subject of my book about Japan.
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YOUR WIFE IS JAPANESE, YOU LIVE IN PARIS. HOW DOES THIS CULTURE PERMEATE YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE ?
It's probably through food, all kinds of Japanese "home-cooked" dishes. But sometimes it can be Japanese ingredients or spices that we would add in a French dish : yuzukôcho on grilled chicken, ponzu, furikake on rice...
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WHAT IS YOUR VISION OF JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE ?
I would say functional, daring, eclectic, because the diversity of buildings and constructions is incredible. And also integrated, because they have at heart to be in total harmony with the surrounding nature, until disappearing into the environment sometimes.
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HOW DO YOU SEE THIS MASTER'S IN RESPECT ARCHITECTURAL APPROACH ? HIS LINES ? HIS COLOURS ? HIS MATERIALS ? HOW DOES NATURE FIT IN ?
Kengo Kuma uses a lot wood and concrete, I'm not an architect but I imagine that's what allows him to build such daring shapes ! But it also converges with the surrounding nature, the forest, like the museum in the Meiji-dori park at the end of the famous Ometesando Avenue in Tokyo. And, in fact, each time i'ts the light inside that impresses and shapes the form.
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WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER'S EYE, HOW DO YOU PERCEIVE THE LIGHT THROUGH THIS ARCHITECTURE ? HOW DO YOU PLACE YOUR GAZE, YOUR LENS ?
One of my favorite buildings by Kengo Kuma in Tokyo is the Nezu Museum, which takes traditional Japanese architecture forms and elements while letting the light penetrate widely, it's beautiful. The Garden is beautiful in perfect harmony with the building. There is a similar building near Meiji-Dori in the heart of one of Tokyo's parks. I always try to follow the light when I take a picture of a building.
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ANY LAST WORDS FOR THE ROAD ?
We don't talk about it very often but Tokyo is a very important place for fashion and we find really different things. The pay great attention to the quality of the products, their sourcing, the materials but also they love original designs. They are the origin of the capsule concept and a lot of pieces from big brands are only edited for the Japanese market and some local concept stores. It's really unique.
Thank you Yann
Japon the book
Last photo book published by Rue Du Bouquet
81 photos
Preface by Julien Pham.
Three languages: French, English and Japanese
Size: 17x24cm - 112 pages
Limited printing: 500 copies
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