Often, our spatial environment is what shapes (and designs) the way we see things. Looking around us—comparing Jakarta to Yogyakarta, for instance—there’s a relatively distinct edge in the sense of people translating their senses into art. This is, as it turns out, also the case in Japan, where Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, etc.) and Kanto (Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, etc.), two of the most prominent regions, have a relatively different attitudes in this corridor.
Such was also one of the topics in our conversation with Teppei Kaneuji, artist and sculptor that is based in Kyoto. One of the things that he said about Kansai was about how it has this air of alternative felt throughout the region which, in turn, also found its way to his crafts, which can at least give you an idea or two after knowing his manga and music recommendations.