images courtesy of ryuitadani.
into own my life. It raised questions for me like what types of products do I buy the most of or spend the most money on, and what that says about me. In American culture, it’s easy to consume without thinking, so I’m glad that Itadani’s art has made me examine and reflect on my purchases. Itadani is concerned not only about the aesthetic quality of his work, but also about the impact of it on people. His commercial project show that he is interested in incorporating his artwork
into products or displays that will affect the public. Whether it is a coffee mug or pair of sneakers, he seeks to create artwork that will be incorporated into people’s daily lives. Interestingly, he sometimes inserts his name into his art work. For example, he once changed the name of a building to “Ryu building” in a painting. He explains that this is because it shows that the artwork is his perspective, not because he wants to showcase his identity or believes that other people should see it in that particular way.
Although it was the bright colors and small details of Itadani’s work that first caught my eye, my attention has stayed because of the themes behind his work. I find inspiration in Itadani’s art because it suggests looking at things from a new perspective, and his particular interpretation of the world is both practical and playful. Not only do I enjoy the way Itadani finds a balance between cities and nature, but I also like the way he uses daily products as a form of self-analysis.
Design by Rachel Jue
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