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Gold Leather Shooting, Osaka 2014
[…]
EN.CORE: Does it matter that every piece of leather has a history? It is not like if gold is melted, its past is erased when molded into a new form. Leather comes from an individual animal that may have had scars.
Naoki Kaji: That’s very important! You know, the hyper brands like Chanel don’t use scars. They cut the middle part and throw away the rest of it. But, I am following the ancient custom of using everything from an animal, every small piece. I am using the scars as well and thereby preserving the animal’s history. I do custom designs, so everything is unique. I get the leather from the animals and I pass it on to the customers.
When I was in Nepal, I saw this big old turquoise gemstone. It was passed on through the generations. When it cracked, they remade it by using it for bracelets, necklaces, earrings. I want something like that. I regard my art as something that will be passed on. I’ve got some influence from European cultures, too.
[…]
Gold Leather, Pieces of Work
Japanese Hands—Gold Leather Workshop
» read the full interview at EN.CORE!