Autumn Sword Fish Issue 34: Japan Create: The Present Tense

Autumn Sword Fish Issue 34: <Japan Create: The Present Tense> is now available. Creation reflects our daily lives and the collective consciousness of contemporary people. These creations, which may not always be recorded in the annals of art history, offer one way to understand Japan. While terms like "illustrator," "photographer," and "writer" might sound like established "professions" today, they were relatively unfamiliar in Taiwan years ago. However, within Japan's culture, which starts from the "essence of creation," any form of expression can become an "identity." It's not just about line drawings or sculptures; anyone who approaches their creative process with dedication can be an artist. These boundary-breaking creations are how Japan continues to showcase its creativity and why it so captivatingly touches our hearts. "Where has Japan's creative scene evolved to?" This longing, unable to experience it firsthand, fuels the fervent call of this issue. Through Shinichi Nakayama, an illustrator who tells stories with lines; Akiko Nakayama, a live performance artist who blends music and fluid watercolors; COIN PARKING DELIVERY, an artist who brings graffiti into the city; Takayuki Yoshida, a 3DCG creator who transforms streets into cinematic scenes; and Meriyasu Kataoka, who heals the world with handmade puppets, they view creation as a conduit for life's narratives. In a changing world, they continue to express their value across diverse mediums, documenting society with their works and returning to the essence. They are all embodying the present tense of "Japan Create." This inspiration draws us closer together. ◎ Features ➞ Japan Create: The Present Tense Flat Lines: Shinichi Nakayama Form: Meriyasu Kataoka Flow: Akiko Nakayama Trend: COIN PARKING DELIVERY Future: Takayuki Yoshida ➞ Inside Art: When Art Speaks Louder Kaoru Mochizuki (Editor-in-Chief, Bijutsu Techo) / Kosuke Shimanuki (Japanese Art Reporter) Riichi Yamaguchi (Letterpress Printing Craftsman) / Hikaru Suragi (Taiwan-based Japanese Writer) ➞ Mapping Creative Hubs in Taiwan and Japan Information Venues / Select Shops / Exchange Spaces ➞ ➞ Dialogue: Creators from Taiwan, Japan, and Korea Not Just Art! The Future of Asian Zines Where Anyone Can Be a Creator AJ (Founder, Bencao Library, Taiwan) x Takaki Matsumura (Initiator, Osaka Art Book Fair, Japan) x Wang De (Art Publishing Observer, Korea)