哲学
Playing with Material
Japanese: 素材と遊ぶ
An approach that involves exploring the possibilities of glass through experimentation and transforming the traces of that exploration into artworks.
Why do I keep creating? The answer is simply, “Because I love glass, and it sparks my curiosity.” Glass as a material holds a wealth of untapped potential. Experimenting with it, bringing that potential to life, and playing with it—the process itself is a joy.
That’s why, for me, my work is a record of my exploration. It’s a record of that encounter—where I moved my hands, wondering, “What would happen if I did this?” and the glass responded. Rather than deciding on a final form in advance and forcing the material to conform to it, I listen to the material’s voice and work with it to discover the form together.
The desire to “play with glass” is not the same as being careless. Rather, it is precisely because I have a deep understanding of the material and know how temperature and viscosity work that I can play with it with confidence. Technique and knowledge form the foundation for playing freely. If I can share the joy of unlocking possibilities through my work—that is what drives me to continue creating.
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"Playing with materials" refers to an approach that seeks to bring out the potential of glass, treating the very traces of that exploration as the artwork itself.
Rather than deciding on a final form and forcing the materials to conform to it, I listen closely to the flow of the materials and accept whatever emerges. The record of that playful process becomes the artwork.
This entry is written in Japanese by Rei Chikaoka and translated for readers outside Japan. If something reads oddly, the original is the source of truth.