Interview Coco Capitán｜ Solo exhibition "NAUSAUMVY: in fifty (definitive) photographs"

——Please tell us about the concept of this exhibition.

"Navy" is a coined word that mixes "Navy", which means Navy and dark blue, and "Naïve", which means innocent and innocent. I like the sea since I was young, and I've always been attracted to the sea. In the same way, I've been interested in sailing for a long time. This series started to find out why I wonder why I was so attracted to the sea and sailors. I started to ask questions, and I haven't found the answer yet."

——Why did you decide to complete the "Naïvy" series with this exhibition?

"This time, as the final form of this series, I chose the 50 most favorite photos I've been taking for 10 years. From the archives I've been shooting, I tried various things such as size and technique. By doing this, I thought it would be possible to move on to the next project, away from the ten years I had obsessed with the sea."

——When you were young, did you live near the sea?

"I was born in Seville, Spain, and have been learning synchronized swimming since I was seven years old. It was a very tough team, so I had training every day from 4 hours on weekdays and from 10 am to 10 pm on weekends, so I had to practice seriously. When I was 11 years old, I moved to a town called Cadiz on the edge of Spain, and unfortunately there were no synchronized swimming teams or pools in that town. But instead, there was a sea there. In a sense, it was the sea that freed me from the harshness of synchronized swimming. Swimming in a square box, no rigorous training, and every day I started cycling along the seaside road to school. By spending such a daily life, the sea became a symbol of freedom in me, freeing pressure and time, and finally becoming a place where I could release myself."

——What kind of childhood did you have? Have you ever felt that you have a strange feeling different from others?

"When I was young, I had the impression that I was isolated rather than feeling that I had a different feeling from others. I was born and raised in a small town, so there were few friends who could share interest in art and photography. Synchronized swimming was severe, unfortunately I was frustrated by my teammates, and I also felt alienation in the team. But my school classmates were very kind and I was getting along well. I was a person who was able to study with an otaku temperament, so I taught my homework and showed me the answer during the test (laughs). I was conscious of the difference in interest from others, but I thought that the difference was a good thing."

——Are the sailors and found objects sailor clothes inspired by the scenery they saw when they were young?

"No, the Spanish navy doesn't look like this. These are American sailor clothes used during World War II, and I think it is the image that comes first to mind when we imagine a navy or sailor. In that sense, I use this sailor clothing symbolically. In addition to the Navy, I am interested in ship design and mechanism, so I sometimes use it as a motif, but it is not the appearance of a sailor I have seen in my life, but it was created as a symbol of an imaginary sailor."

——It is often used that the half body is uniform and the half body is naked, but what kind of intention is it?

"I think uniforms mean that they belong somewhere and are a symbol of communities and organizations. And the fact that the half body is naked represents the symbol and personality of the individual. A state where you belong to somewhere but have not lost your personality. In a sense, jokes are included, but in order to break down the form of belonging to somewhere in uniforms, for example, sailor clothes are embroidered, a symbol of individuality. I thought that embroidery would break down the state of belonging to some organization and show individuality."

——Human beings can realize that they are creatures that conflict between discipline and freedom.

"Even when I think it's hard to fit society, I sometimes feel it's hard to live by being tied to rules. In particular, since I make a living through art, I have faced not only simple things, but also hard things and things I didn't want to do. In the world of art, it may seem somewhat old-fashioned, but I think he is a person who worked hard on lowering. But from one point on, I began to doubt that I was too concerned about others and that I had to live while always being asked for the correct answer. I didn't want to live according to what I was told. I used the word "LOST" in this series because everyone wanted to get lost to find a cozy place for themselves, and to congratulate them once out of society and other people's eyes until they grab the place they want."

——Daisy flowers often appear as key symbols in photographs and embroidery of sailor clothes.

"Daisy, like the sea, is naturally attracted. Blue, sailor clothes and Daisy. I don't understand these three things, but for some reason, have been attracted to them for a long time, and have become common keywords in this series."

——If sailor clothing represents a group, is Daisy a symbol of liberation?

"Yes, that's right. It may be linked to a symbol of freedom. I don't know in Japan, but in U.K., Daisy is a weed-like flower that blooms everywhere. But it's very beautiful. I think many people like hand-salt flowers, but I love the flowers that bloom on the roadside like Daisy. It's also a symbol of freedom, and you can feel strength, so I'm very attracted. And one more thing, thank you for everyday life is my theme. Rather than taking up things that are more unique or highly unique than necessary, there are many beautiful things in everyday life, and I would like to use such things as motifs. The consciousness of gratitude for everyday life may be reflected in Daisy."

——I felt that the main visual was a surprising work in the series, but could you tell me why you chose this work?

"It was one of the proposals from PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO, but I didn't want to choose a piece that would tell all the contents of the exhibition. At Mysterias, I thought it would attract people's interest by dare to focus on visuals that make you think about what this is. The pants in the photo are bottoms of sailor clothing, but they are simple visuals while engaging in the theme, and they don't implant any extra expectations or images to people. This work was taken in the portrait series of "Dazed" magazine. I often do things that I don't need while shooting advertisements or magazines, and present them as my own work."

——I heard that all the photos were hand-made C-type prints and were made with particular attention.

"Yes, C-type print (chromogenic print). It's a technical story, but it takes a lot of time than hard work. I will project it on the paper to be transcribed from above the negative and wait until it appears in the dark room, but just want to change the color a little, I have to test once and wait 10 minutes. It starts by cutting large roll printed paper, which has only Kodak and Fujifilm, in a dark room according to the size of the photo. I worked in London, but fortunately, I was able to get the help of John McCarthy. He is a craftsman who has dedicated most of his life to the development of photography. I think I was able to teach you all the knowledge that he could have while working together. On the other hand, the fact that it takes time to develop is an opportunity to reconsider your work. I was able to reflect my will in every detail, and it was very happy to be able to work in such a way."

——The dark blue color of the sea is also different from each photo, and it is very beautiful and impressive.

"I have a stronger commitment to color than one person, so I use analog techniques that cannot be done digitally to create each color. Photoshops cannot be used in the dark room, so increase the exposure to make this part clear, but hide this part and print it out.……And I was particular about producing the various blues that I wanted. The number of artists who like analog work in recent years may be decreasing, but when actually developed in this way, the difference in the finish will be noticeable. It was something that we could do with the help of John McCarthy, and it was done through a very complicated process."

——Words are spelled under the photo, how do you use the expressions of photos and words?

"For the Naïvy series this time, I thought it was important to use both photos and words, so I decided to use both. But words are the beginning of most of my works, and when I think I can convey my feelings more, I express them with words only. If you think that someone who doesn't use words will be able to communicate, choose a photo. The photos will be edited and made into works."

——I heard that there is a habit of spelling everyday moments as words, but when did you start that habit?

"I started writing my own words when I was 12 or 13 years old. Of course, it was different from the current style.……。 But since I was 6 or 7 years old when I learned to write letters, I liked drawing and writing on my notebooks. I'm still taking that note. Since I was eight years old, I have been writing a diary every day. I tried to cut out the photos and collage them. I've been making notes on my own since then."

——Has there been any change in the customs since the advent of SNS?

"For me, it's better to write down in a notebook than SNS. Then, I scrutinize my words and upload what I would like to share to everyone on SNS. I was originally a shy child, so I had a habit of writing out all my thoughts in my notebook once, reading it back, and then communicating it to someone. That's why I still write my thoughts in my notebook before posting to SNS."

——Is this your first visit to Japan? Do you have any favorite places in Japan?

"This is my third time. Japan may be my favorite country. I am naturally interested in various cultures of Japan. I always go around architecture and gardens, and I also like their commitment to the details and humility. It may be natural, stiff, or even boring for the Japanese people, but from my point of view, Japanese etiquette and everyday rules are wonderful and interesting."

——For example, what kind of Japanese rules do you feel attractive?

"I'm a type of jumping into what I'm interested in right away and wanting to do it soon, so I can't wait quite hard. I'm staying at a very nice hotel in Japan now, and of course I'm not dissatisfied with the service, but for example, when I wake up in the morning and ask for room service, I don't know if I don't want to bring it as soon as I'm in Europe and the United States, I'm sure I can get it right away. But in Japan, "Your breakfast will be prepared in 30 minutes" and you will have to wait. But if you wait properly, the service person will come and arrange breakfast neatly. You have to wait, but there is always a process in Japan that you will do it properly when you wait. I felt why people in Europe and the United States were in a hurry, and they would live a more calm and calm life in the customs and order of Japan. I like the rules of Japan because I feel respect and compassion for people."

——I heard that you collect ties, but where did you buy the tie you wear today?

"I found it yesterday in Don Quijote. I'm sorry that it's not a fashion brand (laughs). I think it's a tie for uniforms for high school girls in Japan, but for me, the tie is very thin and short, so it was perfect. There are many ties for men, so I can't find something that suits me, so I'm always looking for it. I have about 40 collections, but most of them are presented by friends who know me."

——Finally, please tell us about your future activities.

"I'm planning to have the next exhibition in London in September. We are also focusing on launching a fashion and homeware brand called Capitana (a female noun for Capitans). In fact, the goods sold at this venue were all directed by me. Under the theme of what I can wear and satisfy, I focused on simple design while giving a strong message. Art, including my own works, is expensive and you can't easily buy it unless you are rich. It's difficult for young people to buy originals, but they can buy them with T-shirts. I love manufacturing, so I would like to develop practical items at such a price that is easy to pick up and enjoy art."

Coco, who speaks humorously with a sincere and frank attitude. After the interview, we visited the Shibuya PARCO and visited GUCCI and A.P.C., where we had experience in collaborating, looking for their favorite tie. She will continue to show us a new world of art by creating works in various ways, including photography, painting, and language, and launching original fashion brands.