Interview: Taisuke Sato
Luca Curci talks with Taisuke Sato during CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2021, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

Taisuke Sato was born in Nagoya, Japan in 1969. After graduating from the Department of Sociology at Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan, he worked in housing sales and management for a major Japanese housing company.  He turned to photography when he was fifty. His main theme is the relationship between himself, people, and society. In his work, he presents a methodology that takes a multifaceted view of human life and society and transforms it into a “Acceptance of impermanence”.

Luca Curci – Which subject are you working on?
Taisuke Sato – It is to see the world from the perspective of impermanence. In the Japanese sensibility, there is a phrase, “the mercy of things. It means that the world is ephemeral, and we find it beautiful.” Not only in Japan, but as society becomes more sophisticated and complex, there are many people who feel lonely, empty, and unable to feel happiness. For those people, I am proposing a perspective that takes a step back from society.

LC – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
TS – I was a salesman for a housing company, and when I was over 40, I was worried about my life. At the age of 50, I became a photographer. I chose to pursue and practice photography, art and its philosophy.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in society? And contemporary art?
TS – I believe that we should always propose a different way of looking at things, a different way of thinking, and a different system, without being bound by existing ideas or conventions. In particular, I believe that contemporary art is not a search for “beautiful things,” but rather a way to promote change in people, people, and society.

LC – Are your artworks focused on a specific theme? 
TS – It is a little different. My work is based on the psychology of human behavior and social behavior. The subjects of my work vary from myself, to social issues such as homelessness, to the difficulty and loneliness of living in Japanese society and cities.

LC – Do visitors’ suggestions enrich yourself and your art?
TS – The valuable comments I can get from this international event will broaden my horizons not only from within the Japanese society, but also from a global perspective.

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the festival or as a part of preexisting works?
TS – This is part from a project called “Happiness Theory” where I am currently trying to publish a photo book. As for the book, the selection and editing of the photos is done and I am looking for a publisher.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the festival?
TS – I agree with you very much. I believe that the theme of “Mixing Identities and Future Landscapes” is also the theme that the international community is aiming for today. And I believe that these changes will come from the spiritual side of each individual.