Shin Murayama – Valhalla Masks

11. October 2009 Accessories & Jewelry, Art & Fashion Judith

murayama-mpt-axl Not long ago, Minna Parikka came up with her extraordinary masks, made out of shoes, now, Shin Murayama`s “Valhalla” mask series is presented at I don`t like Mondays and gives us a smart impression on what recycling art can be. In a short Q&A, the artist himself explains his intention and idea behind every piece. Let him speak:

Shin-Murayama-shoeface_mask_what´s-wrong-with-the-zoo_ Shoeface mask: “Will the culture of mass production be over soon? I think this consumer era is bound to end shortly. At the same time as I think this though, I am making more of the same. Is this ironic? A contradiction? Some of my work just adds to the amount of things being introduced into this overstuffed society. I’m using a sneaker as a cultural symbol in this sense.” Shin-Murayama-shoeface_mask_what´s-wrong-with-the-zoo_sock-eater Sockeater mask: “Nature is not just around us — it extends into our own bodies, doesn’t it? I find it fascinating to work not only with my thoughts but also with my body. The mask I wear in the portrait also comes from this perspective.”
Shin-Murayama-_mask_what´s-wrong-with-the-zoo_mandrill-nose Mandrill nose mask: “Rather than to “sample” something from a great artist of the past, or a foreign culture, I worked through myself, the way I see the world. I wished to create an object that’s an expression of myself as I am now. For example, how do I think about our planet? This idea humbled me, and gave me the sense that I should borrow a design from nature, the animal world. I think the mandril’s nose is really beautiful.”