WEAVES THE FUTURE: THE ARTISTIC RESEARCH OF KATSURA TAKASUKA
|by Maria Rosaria Roseo |
Katsura Takasuka was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1986 and studied textile design, earning his degree from Tokyo Zokei University, where he also completed a master’s program in 2011.
Katsura Takasuka’s works focus on the relationship between humans and nature. He explores this complex connection through textiles—their origins and production—deeply rooted in human history. Through meticulous research on materials such as silk, cotton, hemp, and wool, as well as various weaving techniques, Takasuka distances himself from an anthropocentric perspective. His work expresses the need to restore an impartial and balanced vision of the human-nature relationship and their undeniable interdependence.
His works have been featured in solo and group exhibitions both in Japan and abroad. In addition to his artistic practice, he works in textile design and as an artistic director. Since 2016, he has served as general director of the “Hataorimachi no Hatajirushi” project, dedicated to the Nishikatsura and Fujiyoshida areas in Yamanashi Prefecture—an important textile district with a history spanning nearly a thousand years, rich in tradition, culture, and territorial identity linked to textile production.
Currently, Katsura is an associate professor at Tokyo Zokei University.
Creating through textiles is an act deeply rooted in human history. To understand a fabric means to understand its maker, its cultural context, and the trends of its time. For Takasuka, reflecting on the nature of textiles is not just an artistic exploration but an opportunity to imagine the future and question which direction to take.
In Japan, living alongside natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons has shaped a philosophy that encourages coexistence with nature rather than opposition to it. This perspective, deeply embedded in Japanese culture, influences the artist’s vision. His research focuses on the beauty of humanity as part of creation and the forms that emerge from this understanding.
Art, science, and technology are the pillars of his research. The artist perceives these three elements as profoundly interconnected and coexisting within human creativity. Although historically regarded as distinct fields, Takasuka believes that their interplay is essential for artistic innovation. Art also arises from the creative combination of scientific understanding and the practical application of technology. Textiles, created with the scientific and technological knowledge of their time, embody the perfect fusion of these elements, becoming the “art” of their era.
As his research has evolved, Katsura Takasuka has developed a critical perspective on the modern worldview that places humanity at the center of nature. Instead, he recognizes the interdependence inherent in all things. He sees textiles as a key element in this discourse, as their history demonstrates how humanity has always “borrowed” resources from nature and must now find ways to give back.
One of his most recent projects, titled Species, stems from his desire to move away from an anthropocentric perspective and reconsider the human act of creation. It serves as a warning against a world dominated by modernity. The materials used in Species result from the interaction between two natural elements: plant seeds that spread by attaching to animal fur and wool. Through this project, the result of extensive research, Takasuka explores the original structures of animals and plants to create an entity that is fluid and capable of adapting to its environment.
Alongside his artistic career, Katsura Takasuka has gained significant experience teaching at the Textile Department of Tokyo Zokei University. For him, teaching is a way to reflect on the future through constant dialogue with people from different generations and perspectives. Creating an artwork is often a self-centered process, but engaging with students and colleagues offers opportunities for new discoveries and inspiration.
Takasuka’s works exist at the intersection of art, design, and fashion, making it difficult for him to categorize his practice. However, this inherent ambiguity is both a challenge and a strength, adding depth to the interpretation of textiles as an artistic expression.
Currently, his research is oriented toward projects focused on material circularity and reintegration into ecosystems. His goal is to explore how humanity can live in harmony with nature rather than in opposition to it. With its millennia-old history, textiles will continue to be a key element in this reflection on the future.
