SPITGAN MAGAZINE: SPITTING MAD FIRE
The Darkside. The local Hong Kong name for Kowloon. Spoken by Islanders with an equal mix of contempt and fear. There is truth to these words as stylish hoods live on the ‘real side’. Come take a look sometime.
九龍城寨，黑暗的那頭。當時的人用蔑視和恐懼的說話表現對這裡的認識。這些話是真實的，時尚生活中“真實的一面”。過來看看吧。
衛衣/ Sweatshirt – Juun.J (available at Joyce Boutique), 眼鏡和耳環/ Glasses and earrings – Model’s Own
外套/ Jacket – Craig Green (available at Joyce Boutique), 長褲/ Trousers – Lanvin
All paintings : Hajime Sorayama (Used with permission)
Portrait of Sorayama : copyright by Hajime Sorayama courtesy of NANZUKA
Hajime Sorayama was having a solo exhibition at Jacob Lewis Gallery N.Y. at the time of this interview. For those who have seen his work it’s truly memorable, and for those that haven’t your missing out on a real one. This renowned illustrator/artist started his career in the 70’s, and his unique style has never been touched since. His sexy robots titillate to this day, looking as modern, or forward as ever. Sorayama is no spring chicken now, but he has an uncanny knack of knowing what is up with the youts today. Case in point his recent collaboration with Korea’s hottest menswear designer du jour, Juun J. Look even deeper to his earlier collaborations with street wear brands such as Stüssy, Marc Ecko, NIKE, British Knights, and skate-wear brand Dark Star. These heavy-hitters wanted to get down with Sorayama so you know what’s up!
<< English continues after Chinese >>
位於紐約的Jacob Lewis Gallery 近日正舉行日藉著名插畫師/ 藝術家空山基( Hajime Sorayama ) 的個人展覽。這位從上世紀七十年代已漸露頭角，今天已成為大師的藝術家，以繪畫造型性感的機械女郎而為人所熟悉。那些外表冰冷又性感的機械女郎，最早誕生自七十年代，卻沒有予人過時的感覺。空山基雖然不年輕卻緊貼潮流，並與時代同步。除了活躍藝術界，他更踏足時裝界，像今個秋冬他與炙手可熱的韓國男裝品牌Juun J. 合作，亦曾與街牌Stussy 、Marc Ecko 合作設計T 恤，為NIKE 、British Knights 、滑板品牌Dark Star 等這些街牌設計球鞋。他的作品橫跨不同時代，透過這些機械人畫作他向人們展現了自己眼中的未來世界。
對某些人來說，空山基這個名字可能有點陌生，但大多會見過這些擁有光滑無暇的「皮膚」的機械女郎。這些具有完美身段、經常穿著性感裙裝並擺出高難度誘人甫士的機械女郎，沒有因為看不見容顏而令吸引力減少，密不透風的外殼反而為她們增添更多神秘感與瑕想。
像一般的男性，空山基對女性胴體發生興趣是在中學時期，那時他喜歡以《Playboy 》雜誌為靈感，繪畫在六十年代十分盛行的Pinup 性感風格畫作。直至1978 年，空山基受到當時他的朋友的邀請，為一個啤酒品牌繪畫機械女郎，自此他便停不下來，一直以機械女郎為作畫對象。而在八十年代，他為著名色情雜誌《Penthouse 》創作的連載作品，獨特的畫風在當年成為一時佳話。
除了他筆下的機械女郎及未來世界，在空山基的創作生涯中，曾參與過一些與科技等有關的工作。例如在八十年代，他參與了科幻cult 片《Braindead 》、《Time Cop 》的創作，其後他又為Sony 設計了機械狗AIBO ，AIBO 不但在2000 年獲得日本最高榮譽的設計獎項，更成為MOMA 的永久藏品。
Yo buddy give props where they are due man. The braids, the sag, military surplus looks? You listen to 90’s Hip Hop dude? That would be dope. At least I would give your taste some props. I hope you were pumpin’ that Boom Bap hard down the runway for the culture. Instead I see a cover story of a reference to the G suit. The 1940’s invention, a jumpsuit to help pilots fight the effects of gravity. Yeah word word. Respect the architects.
Yes yes ya’ll. You’ve seen the slick visuals for the Juun.J X Josh Luke ads, now check the pieces. A staples range of streetwear here with the added finesse of Juun.J’s cutting and fabric selection, which is to say, ‘upper echelon’ indeed. With the added Josh Luke graphics, the pieces really take flight. Mostly typography and slogans, the color blocking and positionings are ill. Be forewarned. There are some dope details we have not been able to show due to the limited press materials recieved, but trust us, there are goodie graphics on the backs etc. If you have a chance to check the actual pieces, do. Own some of the flyness too, cuz I know ya feel.
These are the slick images for the Juun.J X Josh Luke Capsule collection. Simple and slick showing off the pieces in a smooth contrast black and white. Yeehaw!
