Dialogue - Hisayuki Nishibeppu -
"I want to show the life of a flower"
This idea is at the heart of the activities of Nishibeppu Hisayuki, owner of the Nishibeppu Flower Shop.
In 2014, he set up a shop and studio on the first floor of an old apartment building in Aoyama, Tokyo, together with Katsuya Sato, the owner of "Haiiro Okami," a shop that deals in Russian antiques, where he spends his days creating art.
What kind of feelings allow us to accept the life and death of plants and cherish them until the very end?
Antiques and plants
Born and raised in Kagoshima Prefecture, Nishibeppu has loved making things from natural materials since he was a child, influenced by his grandfather. He was greatly influenced by the mysterious world of plants and the use of color depicted in Ghibli films, and every day he works through trial and error, hoping to "create a dreamlike worldview."
The space of "Hiiro Ookami + Flower Shop Nishibeppu Shoten" is decorated with unique flowers that Nishibeppu-san visited the market and selected himself. "Even the same plant can change depending on how it is grown," he says, explaining the reasons for the unfamiliar colors and shapes of flowers with a fun yet serious look in his eyes.
The vases used are Russian milk jars called "gorshok" and glass vases selected by Sato. Russian antiques, Japanese miscellaneous utensils, and folk tools blend in seamlessly. Antiques and plants. The interior of the store, where opposite elements mix together, has a still air and you can feel the breath of the antiques and plants, creating a space that is in comfortable harmony with the sensibilities of the two people who say they "don't like perfection."
"Because we're in an urban area where there isn't much natural material, we want our shop to be a place where customers can come into contact with plants and antiques, forget about their busy schedules, and find peace of mind."
There are lots of plants around
What is important to me when creating is to communicate with plants.
"In the process of creating, I stop just before I reach the image I want to achieve. Since there is no right answer, I don't try to be efficient, but rather I go through a process of trial and error until I finally arrive at the best shape for the plants."
Looking back, Nishibeppu says that when he first started the shop, he specialized in procuring rare plants. Now, he says he is interested in how he can arrange popular materials in a way that suits his own style.
"Just as fallen leaves give off a pleasant scent when rubbed, if we change our perspective, we can see that plants are all around us in our daily lives. I feel that learning about such things enriches our daily lives."
Presence intact
"Flowers are most beautiful when they wither and after that. That's why I want to show the time it takes for a flower to sprout, wither, and return to the soil."
Dried flowers are not eternal, and are in the process of drying and decaying. The colorful leaves gradually fade and change. Even if they lose moisture and become smaller and lighter, their presence does not disappear. Flowers bloom and then wither. It is this simplicity that is appealing. Perhaps it is the way they live that is the focus of attention, rather than their beauty.
Nishibeppu preserves decayed flowers and plants as artworks, so that viewers can enjoy watching their appearance change little by little over the years.
"Perhaps I'm attracted to things that continue to be born through intangible processes and things that can be communicated in a fleeting moment."
Things born from nature and things made by human hands will eventually decay. They will return to the earth, from which greenery will sprout and flowers will bloom once again. Beauty is hidden in every moment.
A small mirror in the forest
This is Utsushiki's fourth exhibition.
Even as the exhibitions continue, what remains at the core is the pure desire to amaze visitors.
The theme this time is "Small Mirrors of the Forest."
We look at our mirrors once a day. Even when we're feeling down, interacting with plants can help us reset our mood. Having plants in our lives makes our daily lives a little more luxurious.
I am looking forward to seeing what kind of space the exhibition at Utsushiki will create, starting on June 20th.
After this conversation , if you only watch the news during this self-restraint period, you may feel depressed. I'm sure there are many people who have decorated their lives with plants. "Flowers are alive, and people are alive, so it's important that we resonate with each other," says Nishibeppu. Decorating with plants brightens up your daily life, as if the air were clear.
Interviewer and writer: Yoshiaki Ono
Yellow Wolf + Flower Shop Nishibeppu Shop ExhibitionKesnoe Zercalo – A Small Mirror of the Forest –
There is always a gateway to a mysterious world near you. Don't forget it.
I want to spend it forever
Saturday, June 20th – Sunday, June 28th
No breaks during the period 13:00-18:00
