INTERVIEW: “tracing” and “the ROOM” ARTISTS
[ Exclusive Interview ] ARTIST MULTISTANDARD
MULTISTANDARD
1. How MULTISTANDARD Was Founded
Could you share the story of how MULTISTANDARD was established? How did the five members meet and decide to form this group?
MULTISTANDARD: We all graduated from the Department of Industrial, Interior, and Craft Design at Musashino Art University, specializing in interior design. Although we are from different academic years, we maintained a close and supportive relationship during our time at university, frequently discussing and exchanging ideas.
The formation of the group initially stemmed from a practical need to save on entry fees by jointly exhibiting our individual works at DESIGNART TOKYO. MULTISTANDARD was originally the title of that exhibition. After the event, we began receiving project and design invitations under the team’s name, which naturally led to the formal establishment of MULTISTANDARD as a design collective.
2. The Meaning Behind the Group’s Name
From what we found, the term “MULTISTANDARD” is often associated with electronics, meaning “capable of handling signals from different systems.” Why did you choose “MULTISTANDARD” as your group’s name? Is there a particular meaning or philosophy it reflects?
MULTISTANDARD: This name stems from a creative thought process we frequently use: re-examining conventional notions from different perspectives and transforming so-called “negative” ideas into “positive” ones through a shift in viewpoint. The term “Double Standard” is typically seen as having a negative connotation. However, in the realm of creativity, we believe there is no such thing as an absolute standard. Instead, it is about presenting diverse ideas and styles of expression. With five members in our group, we decided to use the coined term MULTISTANDARD, meaning “multiple standards,” as the name of our collective, reflecting our philosophy.
3. The Use of Lowercase and “_ing” in Exhibition Titles
We noticed that your exhibition titles often use lowercase letters and end with “_ing.” Does this naming style hold any special meaning or backstory?
MULTISTANDARD: In our creative process, we believe the most crucial element is the act of “hands-on process.” By directly engaging with materials and experimenting, we gain a deeper understanding of their properties, which ultimately enhances the quality and persuasiveness of the work. Often, this approach leads to unexpected outcomes, and sometimes, these “accidents” even give birth to unprecedented creations.
To reflect this philosophy, we consistently use titles ending with “-ing” for our works. This choice symbolizes the act of making, a process that is ongoing and actively unfolding.
4. Inspiration for Exhibition Concepts
Your works, both group and individual, often have an unexpected starting point, as if derived from unique questions or ideas after closely observing an object. We’re curious if this exhibition’s theme was a sudden spark of inspiration or if it emerged through group discussions. Were there any memorable moments during this process that you could share with us?
MULTISTANDARD: In the field of design and creation, coming up with a compelling story is often a rare achievement. Many concepts have either been done before or result in something relatively ordinary. This is why consistent observation and accumulation of experiences are crucial. These observations are not limited to the design realm; we strive to explore and engage with people, events, and ideas from diverse fields, seeking inspiration and identifying our unique perspective.
For the team project “tracing,” we set a theme of “re-examining personal works” to spark new ideas. This process involved extensive discussions and reflections, ultimately giving birth to one of our standout projects.
5. Team Habits and Dynamics
As a design collective, do you have any small habits or routines that have become part of your group culture? We understand that members are based in Japan and the Netherlands—does this distance bring any communication challenges, or perhaps unique advantages and interesting experiences you can share?
MULTISTANDARD: We all graduated from the same school, and while each member has their own distinct style and areas of expertise, we also share many commonalities. For instance, when tackling a new theme or material, all members generally agree on the overall approach and sequence of execution. Each of us conducts our experiments individually and then shares the outcomes with the group.
When working on projects or exhibitions, we leverage each member’s strengths through a division of labor, handling tasks such as writing, graphic design, and exhibition planning. Our members are spread across Tokyo, Tochigi, Shikoku, the Netherlands, and even Taiwan. While not being able to meet and collaborate in person regularly presents challenges, it also provides significant advantages.
Living in different regions exposes us to a variety of local customs, cultures, and perspectives, which greatly enriches our creative inspiration. We frequently share insights from our respective locales, sparking new ideas and directions. Using Tokyo as our starting point, we cherish the opportunity to exhibit and undertake projects in diverse regions, which we see as a unique strength of our team.
6. Challenges and Inspiration in International Exhibitions
MULTISTANDARD has participated in international exhibitions, such as Milan Design Week and Rimowa’s world tour. What would you say is the biggest challenge when showcasing your work on the international stage? Have you had any particularly inspiring experiences through these exhibitions?
MULTISTANDARD: One of the significant challenges of exhibiting internationally is the cost of transportation. The project “tracing” includes a concept that highlights the transportation issues faced by Japan as an island nation, which is a challenge Taiwanese artists are likely familiar with as well.
In recent years, there have been increasing opportunities to showcase works abroad. However, the inability to cover high insurance and shipping costs often results in artists missing these opportunities. This may be one of the reasons why many artists find it challenging to break into international markets beyond their domestic audience.
7. Material Exploration and Challenges
Your works continuously explore and experiment with various materials. Along the way, have you encountered any materials that were especially challenging? Are there any materials you hope to explore further in the future?
MULTISTANDARD: Our creations are typically grounded in an experimental approach, with every project serving as a unique challenge. Among these, the piece oozing, which uses adhesive as its primary material, stands out as one of the most challenging endeavors.
Adhesive is an indispensable element in manufacturing, yet the marks or excess glue visible during bonding are often considered “flaws.” Conventionally, adhesive is rarely viewed as a material in its own right. oozing challenges this notion by redefining and assigning value to adhesive as the primary material.
In the creative process, we treated the objects being bonded as mere “molds,” allowing the adhesive to take center stage. This approach shifted the focus to the adhesive itself, leading to the discovery of intriguing phenomena that arise when the traditional roles of primary material and adhesive are reversed. This method of questioning established perceptions through structural inversion is a hallmark of our creative philosophy.
We don’t limit ourselves to specific materials; instead, we select those that best suit the theme and narrative we wish to convey in each project. This flexibility allows us to tailor our materials to the story, ensuring they align with the concept’s core.
8. Philosophical Aspects of Your Work
In your individual works, the underlying concepts often provoke deep, philosophical reflections. Do you read related books or find inspiration from certain external influences that contribute to these intriguing and thoughtful extensions of your ideas?
MULTISTANDARD: When approaching new subject matter, we emphasize the importance of researching its background and history. Understanding the context and characteristics of a theme often lends greater persuasiveness to our work. Additionally, as we delve into a particular topic or issue, our goal is to present new perspectives through our creations.
Many of these ideas arise from everyday life, conversations with others, or observations of subtle phenomena. Sometimes, these questions become the catalyst for our creative process. However, our aim is not to arrive at a single, definitive answer. Instead, we strive to share these questions with our audience, inviting them to engage in thought and discussion.
Through our work, we hope to inspire reflection and reveal previously unnoticed viewpoints. This exploration of a two-way dialogue between the creator and the viewer drives our creative motivation, turning every project into a collaborative journey of discovery.
9. Learning and Challenging Each Other’s Expertise
From your works and social media, it’s clear that each member of MULTISTANDARD has a particular specialty with different materials. Do you ever learn from or challenge each other in each other’s areas of expertise? If so, could you share any especially memorable experiences from these interactions?
MULTISTANDARD: Each of us works in different fields, and each piece belongs to its own unique domain. MULTISTANDARD is a collective formed by five distinct individuals, but we constantly contemplate how to maximize the strengths of the group, especially in fostering interactions among members. The work “tracing” exhibited this time was born precisely in response to this direction.
The creative process involved deconstructing the individual concepts of each member’s work and rethinking the method of creation based on its elements. “tracing” draws inspiration from Sdanley’s work, ROADINARY. ROADINARY is a piece that uses asphalt roads as its material, and roads are a type of public infrastructure. We extended this concept to other forms of public infrastructure, such as “movement” and “transportation,” and reinterpreted it. Ultimately, tracing, a project closely tied to the transportation challenges we frequently face, was conceived.
10. Advice for Emerging Artists
Living in different countries and participating in international exhibitions must expose you to various cultures and inspirations from other artists. Do you have any advice or words of encouragement for young artists striving to develop their own style and direction?
MULTISTANDARD: Cultivate your own perspective of observation in daily life. Even the smallest things might bring great insights. Over time, you’ll find it easier to capture those moments that move you. These observations will eventually shape your unique personality and form the core of your creativity.
Additionally, take the opportunity to understand how designers, artists, and creators from around the world interpret and think about things from their perspectives. Observe how they distill their thoughts into their works, and compare these viewpoints with your own. Such experiences are invaluable for honing your individuality.
Through this process, the unique lens you create will enable you to view the world differently, broadening your horizons. Moreover, inspiration is not just about perceiving; it’s about the ability to materialize it. By consistently expressing yourself through your own interpretations, and through long-term experimentation and failure, your style will gradually become more defined and distinct.
