My artistic journey began in the world of music, but a profound experience with severe tinnitus redirected my creative energies toward the visual arts. This shift was not a retreat but a bold step into the realms of experimentation and discovery. Now, I strive to redefine reality through the innovative fusion of technology and personal insight. Guided by a spirit of exploration, my work opens passages to new dimensions, inviting both myself and my audience to venture into uncharted territories and discover unique narratives within the vast potential of human/machine interactions.
Born and raised in the historic town of Vaison-la-Romaine, France, I’ve always been captivated by the Roman ruins that surround the city. The solemnity of those ancient stones and the palpable silence they radiate deeply fascinated me. As a child, I was drawn to ancient mythologies, mazes, and labyrinths, often spending hours crafting my own intricate designs.
As a teenager, my interests shifted heavily towards science fiction, first through novels and movies, and later with animation. A pivotal moment came when I received a VHS copy of Akira at about 10 years old. This experience profoundly impacted me, leading me to move away from mainstream media. A few years later, I experienced a similar sense of awe during the theatrical release of Ghost in the Shell, which solidified my realization that “the Net was vast and infinite.”
My early passion for creative expression also extended into music, which I began learning at the age of 4. I studied drums, percussion, and saxophone, which eventually led me to pursue a PhD in Musicology at Paris University. There, I researched haptic interfaces for sound control and engaged in composing and performance projects.
In 2006, seeking spiritual and creative change, I made a bold decision to leave Paris and move to Japan. I enrolled at the International Budo University to study martial arts, originally intending to stay for just a year. This plan evolved into a six-year journey of research and study in martial arts and Budo history.
During this time, a head trauma led to the development of severe tinnitus, forcing me to take a break from my musical activities. Initially heartbroken, I knew I had to continue with some form of art. Friends suggested I try fine arts, but I wasn’t convinced at first. After many months of doubt, I finally started painting, focusing on mythologies and mazes from my childhood. After years of practice, I developed my first major series, Derelict/Black, blending labyrinths with post-apocalyptic bird’s-eye views of cities like New York and Paris.
Despite finding fulfillment in my new artistic pursuits, I achieved only modest success and began to feel somewhat stuck in Japan. Craving a change of scenery, I took a two-year break and moved to Taipei. In this new environment, I shifted my focus back to music while continuing to work on my painting. I also taught martial arts and collaborated on various artistic projects, forming cherished friendships in Taiwan. Unfortunately, my tinnitus persisted, and explorations into meditation and other therapies offered limited relief, leading to a sense of frustration and a feeling of reaching a dead end.
Returning to Tokyo, I realized that my diverse experiences could merge into something truly unique. Based in a city where the past and future converge, I harness the innovative potentials of 3D printing and vinyl wrapping to push the boundaries of traditional art forms. My work opens gateways to unexplored realms, challenging viewers to expand their perspectives and embrace new realities. Each creation aims to evoke deep emotions and unveil new possibilities, encouraging exploration beyond the familiar and conventional.
My artistic journey began with a focus on music and composition, but it quickly evolved to encompass digital and multimedia projects. I used to blend elements of music, video, dance, and real-time processing using tools such as Max-MSP and Jitter. I participated in various projects in Paris, including at Theatre du Chatellet and Palais de Tokyo, where dancers controlled live music and generative videos through their movements. These experiences showed me the potential of merging various media to create something truly unique and dynamic.
I had a fascination for mazes and labyrinths during my childhood in Vaison-la-Romaine. It is a small town in the south of France known for its rich history and cultural heritage. There is a major Roman ruins excavation, complete with an amphitheater and many artefacts in the town's museum. There is also a medieval town up the hill with a very old cathedral and a castle.
Labyrinths were an important part of ancient Roman art. Some mosaics depicted squared corridors leading to a scene in which Theseus would fight the Minotaur. Similarly, many medieval cathedrals in France had labyrinth-like pavements, the most famous of which was in Chartres. Sadly, no labyrinth mosaics or pavements have been discovered in Vaison so far, but the Roman heritage and old mythologies were taught in school, which I believe piqued my interest in mazes.
Crepuscule. Acrylic on board. 90 x 90cm. 2015.
I began to explore the symbolism and meaning behind labyrinths. My early works were primarily geometric abstractions, but as I delved deeper, I began to incorporate elements of cartography and imagery of urban chaos. This led to the creation of my first major series, Derelict/Black, which features bird’s-eye views of famous metropoles transformed into surreal, dystopian mazes.
Derelict/Black. Acrylic, ink on canvas, 70 x 100 cm. 2018.
After spending years focusing on mazes, I felt a pull to branch out and try something new. That’s when I discovered the world of instant photography, specifically using Polaroid and Instax cameras. I had already begun to experiment with different concepts, such as Japanese Zen gardens. The lines and circles of the Zen gardens inspired me to create intricate and unknown architectures that looked like alien cities.
All I had to do then was to use polaroid films as my canvas! I began to draw these alien structures on the pictures, creating a mesmerising alternate reality that seemed to materialise out of thin air and intersect with our own world. This experimentation resulted in the creation of my Instant X series.
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Instant X. Posca on Instax Square. 2020
With a desire to push the boundaries further, I began delving into the realm of additive manufacturing technologies in 2021. I created a series of mixed-media artworks that blended widely different elements such as 3D textured panels, natural stones, plastic toys and acrylic paint.
Untitled – PLA, Acrylic, epoxy, plastic toy. 99 x 69 x 8 cm, 2023.
This finally evolved into a refined and minimalist approach that merges 3D printing structures and vinyl wrapping, a technique used mainly in car culture. I thought that the possibilities offered by vinyl were so vast, and at the same time so ignored by most artists that I decided I could notignore that new medium any longer. My new series "Passages" is the culmination of my various interests and experiences so far, and a new chapter in my life.
Untitled – PLA, Acrylic, epoxy, plastic toy. 99 x 69 x 8 cm, 2023.
In addition to being a visual artist, I’m also a musician and composer. When I’m not creating new artworks, I spend my time patching my modular synthesizer or playing percussions. I started learning music when I was four years old, and I’ve explored a variety of instruments and styles over the years.
In France, I was actively involved in the jazz scene, playing steeldrum and leading my own bigband. I also worked on several projects with Max-MSP/Jitter, which were related to my research at Paris University.
Currently, I’m creating sound architectures with modular synths. My goal is merge my mixed media works with my own music in the near future. So stay tuned!
Looking back, I have been practicing martial arts for nearly as long as I have been playing music. I got my start in judo at a young age in France, but eventually moved on to specializing in Japanese weapons systems.
As chairman of the international division of the All Japan Jukendo Federation, I am dedicated to spreading the art of jukendo and tankendo outside Japan. I am also privileged to teach both styles at the International Budo University.
I have made several appearances on NHK’s TV show Sports Japan, to introduce the history and many aspects of different weapon-based Japanese martial arts.
Additionally, I have written several books and many articles on the topic, published in university journals and magazines such as Kendo World, Ken no Kokoro, Yashima, Kendo Magazine, etc.