Interview: Hiroshi Wada 
Luca Curci talks with Hiroshi Wada during VISIONS, third appointment of CANVAS CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

I create my work using the techniques of Japanese calligraphy. Although based on traditional calligraphy, I am not working on creating the classic calligraphy, but rather on “art of lines” that attempts to capture and transcend the essence of traditional calligraphy. Drawing lines is often thought of as a simple and easy task that anyone can do. However, a line full of soul and life in it is not something that can be drawn easily. For me, half a century of training in calligraphy is the foundation for drawing a lively line. For example, a three-dimensional line like a tree branch, or a sharp line that would cut and bleed if touched with a finger. How the supporting lines complement the main line or the battle between black and white. I find beauty in the echoes between lines. I draw Japanese letters, but I do not think there is a direct relationship between the meaning of the letters themselves and the beauty created by their lines. Also, some of my works are damaged (stained). When the inevitable lines that I have drawn with my own hand are beautifully fused with the accidental damage (stains), an echoing also occurs. There is a fine line between accidental damage (dirt) becoming garbage and miraculously fusing into beauty. I wish to draw lively lines that have the power to move us.     

Luca Curci – What are your thoughts while you paint? Do you have any habits or rituals while you work? 
Hiroshi Wada – No. I always enter a state of nonattachment while I work.

LC – What is the trigger that leads you to paint?
HW – I would say I tend to be inspired by small things like scratches and cracks on the walls of the city that are made accidentally. 

LC – How is your creative process?
HW – The process starts with rubbing an ink stick on an ink stone to make ink. Then, I choose some characters I want to write. Once I have imagined how I would like to write the characters, I write them without stopping.  It is often impossible to produce a satisfactory work on the first try. I write the same characters many times until I am satisfied.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it your medium of expression? 
HW – The calligraphy is the culmination of my artistic taste. 

LC – How do you feel when you see your work completed? 
HW – I feel relieved and happy. This is because a calligrapher may write hundreds of times for a single piece of work. However, I can’t relax easily because even if I think I have completed the work, I may not like it when I review it a few days later. 

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of preexisting works? 
HW – They are preexisting works of mine.

LC – What message is linked to the artwork you have shown in this event? How is it connected to the theme of the entire exhibition? 
HW – The same word “freedom” is written in different designs on these two pieces. The word “freedom” originally means to be able to do whatever you want, but the word “freedom” （自由）consists of [自](oneself) and [由](come out from it or reason), which can be comprehended as “yourself is made up from the fact you choose”. Since you have made your own decisions and taken your actions, no matter what happens as a result, you do always use yourself as to its reason. To open up your bright future is also your own choice you will make from now on. I believe that the worldview that everything is up to you is connected to the theme of this exhibition.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform? 
HW – It’s very good.

LC – What do you think about the organization of our event? 
HW – ITSLIQUID team has done a professional job and I appreciate it.

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?  
HW – I would like to suggest a collaboration. I also look forward to the next opportunity to collaborate with ITSLIQUID myself.