The relationship between art and a fulfilling life

A Stroll Through the Kanagawa Gallery
File.12 10watts field &gallery
Shino Yamamoto (Galerie Watts)

"What is art?" "Art is difficult"...I often hear people say things like that. At Galerie Watts, where I work, we define art as "something that appeals to individual sensibilities, broadening one's perspective, encouraging deeper thinking, and fostering inner richness." Therefore, we believe that art elements can be found not only in paintings and sculptures, but also in things we interact with in our daily lives, such as clothing, food, and shelter.

"10watts field & gallery" is a place where the essence of "lifestyle x art" is sprinkled throughout. Whether it's the location or the old building, it's a hidden gem of a gallery that makes you think, "Huh? It's here?"

If you spot a small iron sign quietly standing in front of the entrance of an old building, head up to the third floor. There is no elevator. The entrance is a small black door with a tiny handle that might make you hesitate for a moment, wondering if it's okay to open it (laughs).

When you muster the courage to open the door, you'll find yourself in a wonderfully comfortable space that makes you think, "I'm so glad I came!"
The items on display vary greatly in terms of era, country, and style. But what's certain is that it makes you feel excited, as if you can definitely sense the owner's unique perspective here.

I was strangely drawn to this old French blown glass spoon. It's simple, yet somehow charming.

As I gazed at the table adorned with the allure of antique items such as glass, white porcelain, and pewter, my eyes suddenly fell upon something on the wall that caught my attention.
I approached it, wondering if it was something unearthed somewhere in Europe, but it turned out to be a work by Chiyo Takasato, whom I had previously interviewed for Magcal.
*Editor's note: See here!

People will have different impressions, but while there's an ennui-filled atmosphere, if you gaze at it for a while, you can see a delicate beauty and a sense of poetry...that's why I really love Takasato's work.

Amidst the Asian antiques lining the shelves, a large, black, stone-like ceramic piece (which rattles when shaken) is the work of a contemporary artist. It's accompanied by black stones the shop owner apparently picked up from a river. The owner's sensibility shines through in this effortless combination, making the shop even more intriguing.

There was a unique bird sculpture. When I asked about it, I learned it was the work of the shop owner, Takeshi Awaya.

Awaya also works as an artist under the name "chikuni." "Chikuni" means "tree" in the Ainu language, and she chose this name with the hope of creating an activity that takes root firmly in the ground, grows into a large tree, blooms flowers, and bears fruit (artwork).

Originally, Ms. Awaya worked for a company designing commercial interiors, but about 10 years ago she opened her own shop and began creating interior-related items, including lighting and tables made from reclaimed wood and iron.

Chikuni's signature lighting. Most of the light bulbs are 10W. In fact, the shop name "10watts" is related to this. The sound of "watts" also has a familiar feel to it (lol).

"Immediately after the 3.11 earthquake, the Yokohama area where I live experienced planned power outages. When I saw the sparse lights and the resulting landscape, I realized, 'It was unnecessarily bright until now.' I also came to appreciate the beauty of a dimmer, gentle 10W light, and I thought that even if it's not 10W, anyone can contribute to environmental energy conservation by simply lowering the wattage of their light bulbs."

Things like 10W lights that exude beauty even in their smallest form. Since opening her shop, Ms. Awaya has gained a clearer understanding of what she truly cherishes.

"I think it's something I learned while working in the interior design field, but I like things that are both practical for everyday life and beautiful on their own."

At first glance, it looks like a music stand, but this is also a work that symbolizes chikuni, and the idea of displaying books like art is wonderful.

The speaker is adorable. It looks like something a little person might live in. Opening and closing the small door changes the sound's dispersion. Apparently, the sound quality also differs depending on the type of wood used.

There were also music CDs in the store.

"I've had the opportunity to be involved in the live performance space design for musicians like Haruka Nakamura, Ichiko Aoba, and Teru Uchida."

According to Awaya, the first time he decided to create lighting for someone else was at the "Haruka Nakamura & Aoba Ichiko Ryusei" live performance in 2012.

Apparently, Ichiko Aoba was fond of this spherical mobile by Chikuni, and it often appeared at her live performances.

When Awaya previously pitched the theme of "spheres" to several artists, they came up with a variety of works that went beyond the conventional image of a sphere that Awaya had imagined, such as viewing a round plate from directly above and seeing it as a sphere. He found it fascinating how different people's interpretations were, so he's planning a "Sequel to Spheres" exhibition this coming May. I'm looking forward to it.

10watts field & gallery features only items that have caught Awaya's eye, regardless of East or West, and without regard to tradition or modernity, focusing on the inherent qualities of the materials, the forms, and the traces of human hands.
The objects and everyday tools all resonate with each other, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

First, try decorating with or using things that excite you. Then, delve into your own feelings and try to understand why you are drawn to them. Rather than trying to understand it intellectually, I think art will become much more accessible when you grasp that feeling that resonates with your heart.
Precisely because there are no right or wrong answers in this world, you can put your own standards to good use.
You'll find plenty of hints scattered throughout if you visit 10watts field & gallery.

(Interview conducted in February 2020)

Gallery Information
10watts field & gallery
3-8-7 Ogimachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Sanpei Building 301
TEL: 045-273-1944
Gallery hours: 13:00-17:00, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.
Parking: None
During its permanent run, the exhibition and sale of antiques and works by various artists are on display.
Special exhibitions are held several times a year.
May “Continue Sphere” Exhibition
https://www.chiku-ni.com/

"access"
▶︎Approximately 7 minutes on foot from JR Kannai Station