Interview: Andrea Kanishi
Luca Curci talks with Andrea Kanishi from kARaT ToKyo during CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2021 at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

kARaT ToKyo is an art collaboration of two artists and their artworks established in Tokyo, Japan. Czech illustrator, Andrea Kanishi, graduated art class at Prague’s Gymnasium Na Pražačce, currently living in Tokyo and Japanese photographer Kikuchi Takayuki. Their work urges the topic of the current importance of smart distancing while socializing. They participated in exhibitions such as UNION (August 2020) for Kyoto Museum of Photography, and won Fine Art – Still Life (2020) IPA – International Photography Award, and People – Steel Photography (2020) IPA – International Photography Award.

Luca Curci – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
Andrea Kanishi – Everything is a matter of process surely, but also we luckily got together and started to penetrate illustration to the photographs, so we deliver current work.

LC – According to you, what makes a good photo? Which details do you focus on?
AK – There are many ways to approach good results, sometimes we imagine something first and then trying to make it, another time outside happening directly inspires us to shoot, but always one is common, the result must be somehow interesting and impressive.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it like your medium of expression?
AK – We believe art is another way to see the world, delivering and experience it. It is a very personal communication that opens other aspects that otherwise wouldn’t be reached.

LC – Which art themes do you pursue? What is your preferred subject, if there is any?
AK – Contrary to one we enjoy trying, seeing, experiencing many and welcoming new.

LC – What is your creative process like?
AK – The important part is happening inside of our heads – seeing, imagining, happening before starting and during the process because every next move can rearrange the whole result.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
AK – Our work represents our current combination of graphically edited photos with illustration on top of it, delivering very new, original pictures.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this festival? How did it inspire you?
AK – I love the concept, especially at the point of exhibiting very new ways of art inside traditional historical spaces.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
AK – As a connection between artists and viewers it is definitely a delightful representation of opportunity.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
AK – We were very pleased to have the chance to communicate with your group’s representatives delivered smooth and fast results.

LC – What is your idea about ITSLIQUID GROUP?
AK – ITSLIQUID GROUP is an art-involved connection between artists and the world, delivering each other chances to experience always new ideas and ways in the world of art together with a great opportunity for the artist to be widely introduced and recognized.