INTRODUCING 'VALHALLA' BY SHIN MURAYAMA - EXCLUSIVELY FOR IDLM Shin Murayama was born in Niigata Japan in 1977. After earning a degree at Bunka Fashion College, he joined the fashion label DESIGN AGAINST TREND as a product designer. (The company produces TRICO, an interior design store in Tokyo.) In 2003 Murayama launched his clothing label Musk (a.k.a. Nose Job) in Japan, London and Hong Kong. In 2004, Murayama started his private line Wore Dance and opened a brick-and-mortar shop in Harajuku, called IsReal Store. This name was inspired by Yoko Ono's fictional art gallery "IsReal Gallery." In 2006 Murayama dissolved the IsReal brand and its store, and started working as a freelance designer involved in fashion brand planning. It was during this period that he also began making one-of-a-kind apparel and art pieces under the name "Library Police." In 2007 Murayama presided over the formation of The Library Police Group as a large number of new members joined and took part in the group's bedroom-themed art exhibition "The Royal House." His "Studded Sleeping Bag" piece was exhibited at Loveless, a fashion boutique in Tokyo's Aoyama district. In 2008 Murayama moved to the U.S., where he announced his mask series project "Valhalla," for the first time exhibiting his art under his own name. IDLM Mario or Luigi? SHIN MURAYAMA I think I felt like I was Luigi when I was a kid. I seemed to always be going back and forth between mainstream and underground...any kind of category. Although, I haven't changed much between then and now... IDLM When and how did you decide to become an artist? SM I still don't know if I am an artist yet. IDLM What famous artists or designers have influenced you, and how? SM There are just too many people that I respect and was influenced by. But honestly, I try not to idolize anyone. If I do need to pick one person though, it would be my friend, let's call her "Turkish High School Girl." I think most artists try to become Peter Pan, stay young forever, and not be affected by how life can be jading. They want to keep themselves pure. My friend, this Turkish girl, she's the embodiment of that, and she doesn't even realize it. To me, that is art. She is an artist... IDLM What do you do for fun (besides creating art)? SM The first place I visit in my free time is the bookstore, I love reading. IDLM Do you believe artistic creativity is innate, generally and personally? SM I think creativity, in itself, is a unique human characteristic, and an innate one. I also think that "artistic creativity" in the way you use it is too specific and exclusionary. You can be an artist in many ways, depending on your culture, environment. The most important thing to remember is to pursue the development of whatever skills you're naturally good at, and don't worry about categorizing things. IDLM Do you consider yourself more an artist or a fashion designer? SM I haven't even really started thinking about it, so I don't really know. IDLM What's the most played song on your iPod? SM I actually looked up to see what song in my iTunes library I listen to most, but I don't want to tell anyone! IDLM What was it like being in your early twenties and having your own store on Cat Street in Harajuku? SM To be honest, it was an amazing experience, and I am grateful for the help that I received. But it's something I don't think much about anymore, I am currently focusing on my future. IDLM How separate are you from your art? SM My art? My art is a direct result of my experiences and my environment. I can only be as separate from my art as I can be separate from myself. IDLM Must art have a relationship with fashion? SM I don't think I'm the kind of person who can really talk about such relationships. I can only speak for my work. My intent, right now, is to create well made pieces that reflect my personality and interests and cater to everyone by the standards by which they are made. Even if fashion people see my work, I want to make sure that it can be appreciated. IDLM What's the last movie you saw? SM It isn't the last thing I've seen, but recently a friend of mine recommended I see the "Godfather" series, which I had never watched before. It's actually amazing. IDLM Can you describe for us the inspiration behind each of the Valhalla masks? SM MANDRILL NOSE - Rather than to "sample" something from a great artist of the past, or a foreign culture, I worked through myself, the way I see the world. I wished to create an object that's an expression of myself as I am now. For example, how do I think about our planet? This idea humbled me, and gave me the sense that I should borrow a design from nature, the animal world. I think the mandril's nose is really beautiful. SOCK EATER - Nature is not just around us — it extends into our own bodies, doesn't it? I find it fascinating to work not only with my thoughts but also with my body. The mask I wear in the portrait also comes from this perspective. SHOE FACE - Will the culture of mass production be over soon? I think this consumer era is bound to end shortly. At the same time as I think this though, I am making more of the same. Is this ironic? A contradiction? Some of my work just adds to the amount of things being introduced into this overstuffed society. I'm using a sneaker as a cultural symbol in this sense. IDLM What do you enjoy most about being an artist? SM It's not about "being" an artist. For me, creating something is the most fun moment in itself. I think most would agree, no? IDLM What are your future plans? SM To continue creating.