A SCENE Director Furuie interviewed Mr. Kagami, an active contemporary artist who continues to produce humorous works, and Mr. Ise of the gallery "VOILLD," which celebrated its 10th anniversary this October. They discussed various topics centered around collaboration.

Furuie: The collaboration began when I was introduced to VOILLD by an acquaintance and had the opportunity to visit them. While speaking with the owner, Ms. Kasuga, we became excited about the idea of creating collaborative items with artists associated with VOILLD. Incorporating art onto a smartphone case was a first for our brand, and we envisioned that Mr. Kagami's lettering would look great on our PVC clear case, which is an icon of our brand. The collaboration started right there, with a concrete image already forming in our minds.

Kagami It was stylish and cute. Plain smartphone cases with text or pictures on them were very popular in the past, weren't they? But this was the first time I'd seen a full collaboration like this. I especially liked the stylish strap. My wife really loves it. (laughs)

Ise That simplicity, strength, and impact is Kagami's unique quality, isn't it? Nowadays, with phone cases, even though it's such a small surface, everyone makes a statement with it, don't they? (laughs)

Kagami They do.

Ise Phone accessories feel different from clothes, so I thought Kagami's sensibility really fit well with them.

Furuya I really think so too.

Kagami The common thread in most of the jobs I take on is that I've already come up with the ideas during the meeting. Then, when I'm on the bus, train, or bike ride home, I put it all together and write it all down in one go once I get home. Like a quick memo. Then I'll make a clean copy the next day. It's pretty fast, I guess. I usually have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to do while I'm talking.

Furuya This time, you came up with about 20 ideas for us, didn't you?

Kagami I always give a lot. People are surprised. If I give just one and it gets rejected, I have to think of another, so I just throw everything out there. What I've realized recently is that if I give a lot, people ask, "Is it okay to use so many?"

Furuya You got me there. (laughs)

Kagami Right. (laughs) It happens with other clients besides A SCENE too, and sometimes the number of ideas increases. But I'm not intentionally giving a lot to achieve that.

Ise Even if you give a lot, some might not be chosen.

Kagami And because people say they're happy when I give a lot, I try to write down everything that comes to mind. Even if some of them get rejected.

Furuya We also discussed a lot within our brand, but since you gave us so many good options, the words that resonated with each person were different, so in a way, it was difficult to narrow them down. (laughs)

Kagami I understand. That's interesting, too.

Furuya The words you came up with have a message that we, as a brand alone, would find difficult to convey, so I truly believe they are three wonderful phrases.

Kagami Perhaps it's my "Kagami font" that makes it so. For example, if "smartphone addiction" were typed, it would feel harsh.

Furuya It would hit hard, wouldn't it?

Kagami It's like I'm vaguely disguising it with messy handwriting. People often say, "You're trying to hide it with this handwriting, aren't you?" "Selfie daisuki-fie" is crazy, right?

Furuya Especially as a smartphone accessory brand, I think it's common for our brand to gain recognition when people take selfies, so it's like we're turning that on its head. I really don't think we could express that in any other way than by working with Mr. Kagami.

Kagami It does happen that I make a mistake in a character or the ink blurs. In those cases, I rewrite it, but usually, it's a single draft. Of course, there are times when I feel good about what I've written, and other times when I feel a bit off about it. I think others would say it looks the same no matter what, but when I write something quickly and smoothly versus when I feel the rhythm isn't quite right, I rewrite it. Also, I sometimes simply make mistakes with kanji characters. Once, after I'd already delivered something, I was told there was a wrong character, and I had to rewrite it.

Ise: This is amazing, isn't it?

Kagami: It's really good. 100 points! 500 points! This is great!

Ise: Kagami-san, you haven't really used this much color in your work before. I have an image of your work as being monochrome.

Furuya: That's right.

Ise: Even among all the collaborations you've done, there's a lot of monochrome, isn't there? And then you have fun things like these keychains.

Kagami: They're cute, aren't they, the keychains?

Ise: The arrangement is really effective; it has the essence of A SCENE and the essence of Kagami-san.

Kagami: This "Selfie Super Fan" case really hits the mark. They're all good, but this one is exceptionally bold.

Ise: That's certainly true.

Furuya: It's the color you chose first when we were creating it, isn't it, Kagami-san?

Kagami: That's right. Pink and blue.

Furuya: For the rainbow one, you chose six colors, and we used a lot of yellow to combine them.

Kagami: I think that was the right choice.

Ise: The monochrome one is cute too, of course. Chic and easy to use.

Furuya: For those who are hesitant about the rainbow, they can enjoy this one.

Ise: I'm so torn, I might just buy two.

Kagami: I'll serve you at the event.

Furuya: One of your famous sayings, Mr. Kagami, is "Go home." I heard that this originated from something your senior baseball club members used to tell you when you struck out. As a former baseball player myself, I feel a strong connection to that. Could I ask who your favorite baseball players are? (laughs)

Kagami: For me, it's always been Hiroshi Ochiai, ever since I was a kid. I also like Ichiro. I love the way both of them approach baseball. Before Ichiro went to the major leagues, there was an interview between Ochiai and Ichiro, and they were talking as if they were from another universe. No one could understand them at all. Ochiai said, "You know, you're not playing well, are you?" and Ichiro replied, "Yes." Then Ochiai said, "You're behind," and Ichiro said, "I know, thank you." You couldn't tell by watching, but apparently his shoulder was slightly lower.

Ise: That's a professional conversation.

Kagami: I love watching things like that. Those two are amazing. Who do you like?

Furuya: Mr. Kagami, I have the impression that you often use ironic language in your daily life to express yourself through art. Where do you get your inspiration and criteria for making these choices?

Kagami: Criteria… Maybe I look at things from an askew perspective. I think that's the point, isn't it? I feel like I'm challenging the world with my work. It's not that I create with that in mind, but living on this planet, various things naturally catch my eye. And the questions people have about those things differ from person to person. I don't really have a concept, but it's difficult to explain.

Furuya: Does that "askew angle" change as you get older?

Kagami: It doesn't change, though. It doesn't change, but if you overstate things or make definitive statements, it takes the fun out of everything, doesn't it? It makes it seem like there's only one way to see it. In my case, even if what I'm saying seems harsh, I try to make sure it comes across with humor, I suppose.

Ise: You're good at capturing those exquisite things that everyone has thought at least once. Like, a while ago, you said, "Coffee, coffee, so noisy!!" Everyone thinks that for a moment. "They're saying it again." But because you say it with humor, Mr. Kagami, people can relate.

Kagami: Sometimes I get DMs saying, "I understand too. Thank you for saying it." But I'm very careful. I make sure not to cross the line or hurt anyone. I'm more careful about that than anyone else.

Kagami It has to be in the shape of a smartphone, because it's a smartphone case.

Ise How about a T-shirt? Made of amazing fabric, perfectly sized to fit a phone.

Kagami Wouldn't it be heavy? Shoes might be interesting.

Ise Wouldn't you be unable to answer the phone?

Furuya You're right.

Kagami Something you can snap onto a bag, but those already exist, don't they? What would be interesting?

Ise Something that attaches to a cap and allows you to answer the phone directly.

Kagami Attached to a wig? That would get quite big.

Furuya Recently, shoulder straps have been popular; you can attach a fan and carry it around.

Ise That would be good if it was stylish.

Kagami But if you get a call, wouldn't it make a buzzing sound and you wouldn't be able to hear what's being said? Like, "Hello? Hello?"

Ise Kagami-san, your book is coming out, isn't it? Shigesato Itoi wrote the obi for it. It's a wonderful book that compiles all the things you've bought so far, with added interviews.

Furuya Will there be a signing event?

Kagami Yes, there will.

Ise It's a big event for the summer, isn't it?

Furuya I'm looking forward to it!

Ise VOILLD is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, so I'd like to create various things with various people. Right now, I'm making T-shirts with Kagami-san. I'm also doing a podcast with Kagami-san.

Furuya I'm listening to it.

Kagami You're listening? That makes me happy!

Kasuga There are currently 7 episodes uploaded. We touch on current events and talk about completely unrelated things, so please give it a listen.

Kagami We should talk about A SCENE next time, too!