And UNDECORATED will hold "PICKNICK vol.2", the second solo exhibition by glass artist Yoko Yamano Anderson.

Following the journal from her first solo exhibition in 2022 (About Yoko Yamano Anderson), this time, we spoke with Ms. Yamano and UNDECORATED designer Kono in an interview, where they shared their thoughts on life and activities in Sweden.

 

◼︎Ms. Yamano's life in Stockholm

UNDECORATED: Ms. Yamano, you became interested in glass art after your mother took you to a Scandinavian exhibition when you were a teenager. As a high school student, you visited the Swedish Embassy to gather information. After graduating from university in Japan, you studied techniques in Småland, the "Kingdom of Glass" in Sweden, and earned a master's degree from the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm. After graduation, you became a glass artist with a shared studio in Sweden. Could you first tell us about your life in Stockholm?

 

Ms. Yamano (hereafter Yamano): Stockholm is characterized by its very comfortable climate. Even in summer, it's only about 25°C. When you step into the shade, it feels a bit chilly. And it's dry with low humidity.

Winter is cold, but indoors it's always around 20°C to 25°C, so I sometimes wear short sleeves indoors. Living in such an environment, I'm reminded of how amazing glass artists in Japan are.

 

Kono: Why do you think so?

 

Yamano: Inside a glass studio, it gets incredibly hot. In Stockholm, both the temperature and humidity are low, so I can work relatively comfortably even in a hot glass studio. But in Japan, the humidity is just so high... I really take my hat off to those who work in that sticky heat. I don't think I could ever endure it. (laughs)

 

Kono: I also had the opportunity to go to Denmark this summer and stayed in Copenhagen. As you said, the climate was very pleasant.

By the way, when I travel or go on business trips abroad, I carry instant miso soup because I miss the taste of dashi. Do you ever miss Japanese food, Ms. Yamano? Do you often cook Japanese food there?

 

Yamano: Actually, I've spent about half my life abroad and half in Japan, and I was already living abroad when I started cooking for myself. I lived in Japan as a child, so I only had experience helping out... That's why I sometimes cook Japanese food, but I don't really get motivated to "go for it!" One reason might be that it's hard to get good ingredients for Japanese food here. (laughs)

 

Speaking of everyday meals, Swedish potatoes are incredibly delicious. In Japan, there are many varieties of rice, and similarly, here there are many varieties of potatoes. I use different types depending on the dish, such as for mashed potatoes or for baking in the oven.

Also, the fish here is fatty and delicious. Since it's cold outside, we often eat stews and other soups.

But of course, there are times when I crave miso soup, natto, or tofu.

 

Kono: It seems that our thoughts on food really do change depending on the environment we've lived in. By the way, what do you usually do on your days off?

 

Yamano: I'm a cleaning freak. (laughs) Cleaning is part of my daily routine, but on my days off, I go all out and really clean!

Also, I make stewed side dishes. When I'm busy, it's easy to end up with just one dish, isn't it? I dislike that, so I make about two kinds of stewed side dishes to add color and flair to the table, and I eat them over about five days.

 

On slightly longer holidays, I also go out. Recently, my child had a week-long autumn break, so we went to Serbia together to visit a friend. It was during the "October Salon," which is said to be the most important contemporary art exhibition in Serbia, so the whole city was filled with art.

 

 

◾️What are the "differences" between Japan and Sweden from Ms. Yamano's perspective?

UNDECORATED: I imagine that life in Stockholm is quite different from Japan. You mentioned earlier that you went out with your child. Based on your experience raising a child in Stockholm, are there any memorable episodes that highlight the differences in daily life or education compared to Japan?

 

Yamano: While Sweden's climate is very comfortable, there might not be as strong a culture of enjoying the four seasons.

In that respect, Japan has four seasons, and there's a culture of enjoying things according to the season, like "eating this in spring, and that in autumn." I also think, "This is the season to eat this, or do that" every time I go back. In Japan, the tableware used also changes with the seasonal meals, and I find that to be an interesting difference.

 

In Sweden, I was quite surprised to find that there isn't much seasonal awareness in clothing either. In Japan, there's the concept of materials like "linen for spring/summer, wool for autumn/winter," right? But here, even in summer, if it gets "cold!", people might throw a wool cardigan over their shoulders. Also, drinking hot cafe lattes in a glass is a common sight here. (laughs)

 

Kono: At your last solo exhibition, you mentioned that you often eat out with friends in the summer. Do you still go out often even when the temperature drops?

 

Yamano: Autumn in Sweden only lasts about a week. Because of that, even if the outdoor temperature is 1°C, some people are so keen to enjoy it that they'll say, "I want to have a barbecue outside, even if I have to wrap myself in a blanket." If you miss that period, it becomes a "polar cold world" with sub-zero temperatures, so many people have the mindset of "I want to do it now while I can!"

 

Kono: Even in restaurants, do people often eat in open-air spaces like terraces or under eaves?

 

Yamano: That's right. Even when it's cold, people often say, "Let's eat outside," and honestly, I sometimes think, "Give me a break." (laughs)

They put out heaters and blankets, but still eat outside. I prefer to eat indoors, but when it comes to deciding whether to eat inside or outside, I always lose the majority vote.

 

Kono: Even in Tokyo, I get the impression that more people are eating outside during comfortable and pleasant weather.

 

Changing the subject, I'm also curious about "education" in Stockholm.

 

Yamano: One difference I noticed while raising children is that they accommodate each child's learning speed.

 

For example, children who are good at math calculations and those who aren't have different textbooks and learning paces. Also, I feel that there is an environment that fosters children's independence.

 

For example, in Japan, a "three-way conference" (parent-teacher-student conference) usually involves the teacher giving evaluations and feedback on the child's behavior to the child and parents. However, in our environment, the child presents to both parents and the teacher what they have worked hard on. Perhaps because of this, everyone is very good at discussions and presentations, and I really feel that the children's independence is being fostered.

 

Kono: Do you have any parenting philosophies of your own, Ms. Yamano?

 

Yamano: Simply put, "being healthy is the most important thing." Not just physically, but mentally healthy as well. I feel that's what matters most in parenting.

 

 

◼︎"How to showcase" and "how to enjoy" glass artworks

Kono: In spring 2024, you held an exhibition in Japan in collaboration with 18 painters, right? *Note

 

Yamano: For me, that exhibition was about "considering glass tableware from a different perspective." I wanted both those knowledgeable about tableware and those who hadn't really experienced it to freely perceive glass tableware from various viewpoints, hoping that it would ultimately boost the glass industry, even a little. That's how it started.

 

The glass industry, and especially "handmade items," are built upon accumulated techniques, but if machines can produce similar items, we might become "obsolete."

To put it extremely, if you're shown two glasses—one handmade and one machine-made—and told the difference, and you think "both can hold drinks just fine," then if people don't find a difference between the two, the only distinction becomes that "the handmade one is more expensive."

 

So, "why do artisans need to hone their skills, constantly train, and master their craft?"

 

Ultimately, the depth of our energy and the time it takes to create something isn't conveyed. While enthusiasts gather and say, "This is amazing," it's not reaching the general public. This is one of the reasons why the Swedish industry, in particular, is struggling right now... So, when I wanted to break through that and somehow spread the word in a different way, that's when I launched that project.

 

By having many people, whom I couldn't reach on my own, see my work, I hoped that it might change things a little. Perhaps they'd become a bit more curious about the tableware they use, or when they go to a restaurant or bar, instead of just focusing on the drinks and food, they might find themselves thinking, "That glass is interesting."

Kono: I also went to see it, and it was very impressive.

I don't think it's an exhibition that's as easy to understand as pop art, but by adding the filter of art—like photography and painting—to glass tableware, which is essentially a "daily necessity," it gained a different value and completely changed its appearance. Also, the captions commenting on Ms. Yamano's work were unique and made me laugh. (laughs)

 

Yamano: Thank you. (laughs)

To delve a bit deeper, I decided to trust the thoughts of the people who would view that exhibition. So, I deliberately didn't set a prescribed way to view the exhibition, allowing each person to interpret it for themselves, with the hope that it might change their perspective and way of thinking about glass art, even just a little.

 

I'm sure if there were an exhibition of a favorite character, everyone would want to go, and no matter how it was displayed, it would be fun and make them happy. On the other hand, glass is in every home, it's everywhere, so it's not about how to display it, but rather, I hoped people would find amusement in the conceptual aspect.

 

Ultimately, the feeling of "fun" comes from how you perceive what you experience, doesn't it? Some people might have found that exhibition interesting, while others might not have. Despite that outcome, I held the exhibition believing that "as people walk through and view the exhibits, each and every one of them will surely think about something."

 

Even if we dictate "this is how you should see it," some people will still see it differently, and on the other hand, there's so much about the quality of glass that you can't tell just from its appearance...

Even I myself didn't realize the "beauty of glass" for the first five years, but now after 20 years, I've come to notice it, and the feel in my hands has changed. I think that kind of thing happens in any profession.

 

When you learn something new, things you didn't like before become enjoyable, or you start to see them in a different light. I think that's how change happens. That exhibition was created in collaboration with our team: photographer Masahiro Mibe, graphic designer Yuri Suyama, and the curators.

 

Kono: Ms. Yamano's work is neutral and simple, isn't it? It's really interesting how adding the artist's thoughts through the work can lead to so many different interpretations.

【*Note】

The exhibition "Glass Vessels and Still Life: Yoko Yamano Anderson and 18 Painters" was held as part of a project to produce an art book featuring Ms. Yamano's works.
18 painters expressed in words the glass works they wanted to depict, and based on those words, Ms. Yamano created the glass pieces. These glass works were then painted by the artists, and photographer Masahiro Mibe photographed the glass works and paintings in each painter's studio, collaborating with graphic designer Yuri Suyama to create the art book.

 

◼︎ About the collaboration bag with TEMBEA

UNDECORATED: This time, we're releasing two types of collaboration bags with TEMBEA and Ms. Yamano. Could you tell us about the points you focused on, Ms. Yamano?

 

Yamano: There are two things: first, that it can be carried on the shoulder. Second, that it can hold two to three wine glasses.

 

I wanted to create a bag that could be carried casually, like, "Hey, want to have some wine at the park?" Carrying it on the shoulder is easier, and while there was talk of a capacity to hold four wine glasses, I suggested a capacity to hold two to three wine glasses so that people could enjoy a casual picnic.

 

Kono: It turned out wonderfully! UNDECORATED created the cushions for the wine glasses and bottles using UNDECORATED linen.

There are three brand tags inside the bag, and we've prepared a blank tag for you, Ms. Yamano, so please sign it by hand!

 

Yamano: It's so cute that there are so many tags inside. (laughs)

I'm really looking forward to seeing the actual product. I'm also really looking forward to the exhibition, so I hope many people can come.

 

 

UNDECORATED - Yoko Yamano Anderson Glass Artist Solo Exhibition "PICKNICK vol.2" -

 

【Exhibition Dates】

11/23(Sat) - 12/1(Sun)
1PM - 7PM

*Artist's 예정 attendance: 11/23 (Sat)

 

【Venue】
groundfloor Gallery
1-8-1 2F, Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

※Notes regarding the event day※
・Products will be sold until supplies last. Thank you for your understanding.
・During crowded times, there may be a wait or some items may have limited quantities. We appreciate your understanding in advance.

 

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Yoko Yamano Anderson

Since 2001, she has studied glassmaking techniques in Småland, southern Sweden, the mecca of the glass industry, as well as in Finland and Venice. In 2004, she moved to Stockholm to pursue a Master's degree in Ceramic and Glass at Konstfack (University College of Arts, Crafts and Design), and now has a studio in Gustavsberg where she creates glassworks. In 2011, she received a cultural award from the City of Stockholm. In 2014, the Swedish Parliament acquired her work. She exhibits her work not only in the EU but also in the UK, Serbia, and Japan, and explores the role of glass tableware from various perspectives through her life's work, "Glass Tableware in Still Life."

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoko_yamano/?locale=ja_JP

Website: https://bit.ly/3YevAx8