Takatoku and Yumeo, Tokyo-based artists, are intrigued by the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and primarily incorporate optical phenomena, flora, and fauna into their art practice, inspired by their outdoor experiences.
The materials they mainly work with are simple man-made objects such as metal pipes and acrylic sheets. They aim to express and convey the organic nature of simple materials in the same way that we are attracted to the sea, which is made up of seawater, for example.
They place more emphasis on the actual look and feel of the work than on poetic concepts when it comes to the expression of their work. This is because they value the viewer's empathy. The duo empathically conveys the appeal of phenomena and forms that people are used to seeing in everyday life but have never paid attention to before.
Their work aims to inspire viewers to deepen their exploration of nature by conveying the allure of the natural environment.
The meaning of 'OSOTO' is a polite expression of the Japanese word for out side.
(そと:SOTO,おそと:OSOTO)In Japanese this is a word often used to address children. In other words, the word "outside", the natural environment common to both of them, and the idea that we have always valued the beauty and experience of the outside as children.
Design (Flora and fauna), Photographer
Yumeo Nakayama is a Tokyo-based artist currently creating three-dimensional works and film photography. A common theme in her work is "feeling that we are living on the Earth." In line with this theme, she has created several outdoor installation works based on the ecology and movement of the flora and fauna she encountered in person, as well as the natural environment. By installing her works outdoors, she can create a peaceful space in that location.
However, the characteristics of the motifs and other features are extracted and deformed from her design perspective. Her work takes the form of kinetic art, but she uses non-artificial forces such as wind to move the work. To make this possible, she has invented movements and structures that are driven by the force of wind. Through this kind of production, she hopes to "interest people in the animals and plants that form the motifs" and to make them "feel as if they are actually confronting the animals and the natural environment."
Nakayama has shown a continuing interest in the natural environment, especially animals, since she was around two years old, and this curiosity continues to this day. Her inspirations for her artwork are all events she has experienced first-hand and reflect her deep respect for animals and plants.
Architecture (Optical Phenomenon), Ph.D
Feeling a deep fascination with the ever-changing natural scenery, Nish aims to recreate the optical phenomena embedded within these landscapes through materials and structures, thereby creating new spaces of light. His work is designed to allow viewers to experience the beauty produced by natural forces by leveraging knowledge from optics, meteorology, and mechanics, and by skillfully incorporating geometric forms as well as natural elements such as sunlight and wind.
Additionally, Nish places significant importance on the unique atmosphere that his works exude—an element that fosters harmony between the work and its environment. He believes that this atmosphere plays a crucial role in shaping the characteristics of the space. He continues to pursue diverse forms of expression as he follows the ideal of creating “spaces of light.”
Moreover, he aims to achieve innovative spatial expressions that harmonize nature and architecture in unprecedented ways. His spatial creations serve as a means to bring the proximity of natural forces to the fore and to offer a renewed appreciation of their beauty. After earning a Ph.D. in Design from Tokyo University of the Arts, Nish is currently pursuing a second doctorate in Architecture at the same institution.