Photo-Artist Arisak Creates Her Own Universe as Cool as Ice - Fellows, Freedom, Future

Hi, my name is ARISAK.

I'm a Photo-Artist.

That means I'm a photographer and an art-director,
and I create new worlds in my photos.

I was a figure skater for 10 years, so I also
use that skill to shoot on the ice.

Thanks for having me.

When I was a kid, I couldn't put
my feelings into words.

And during figure skating practice,
I hit my head hard.

It was so traumatic I quit skating.

You blossomed from your struggles, and I'm so
happy to see you embrace your possibilities.

Today, I'm working on my biggest
portfolio project ever.

My model is Gyutae, a Youtuber
and make-up artist.

We've been wanting to work
together for a long time.

So, our dream has come true.

I messaged her myself,
asking if we could collaborate.

I always looked up to her and was waiting for when I would grow to a level big
enough for Arisak to take my picture.

It's not about profit, it's about creating
something we both believe in.

It's rare to find someone else on that wavelength.

The theme for the shoot is "The Moonshot Goal"
which is on the Japanese government's website.

ARISAK's project was inspired
by "The Moonshot Goal"
which says, "We hope to realize a society free from
the limitations of body, brain,
space, and time by 2050."

- Oh my god!

That's crazy!

- This is the one you cut yourself up making, right?
-Yup, I had bloody hands and feet.

- Does this light up?!
- Yeah, it does!

What a masterpiece.

This team is out of control, right?
They're so good.

- What do you think, Gyutae?
- It's incredible!

She leaves it to me whenever
we have a project together.

A costume can make or break
a vision in the photograph.

Yet, ARISAK trusts me to do what I think is best.

The creative team, consisting of:
- hair & makeup
- constume designer - flower artist
- laser light director
was assembled by ARISAK.

I usually contact potential collaborators
through social media.

It's about their style, not their age or anything.

In Japan, it's still common to judge people by how
old or young they are, but I don't care about that.

It matters how intensely they are living
their lives, no matter how short or long.

What kind of patterns can we
create with the lasers?

I think it's better to just show you.

- I think so, too.
- OK let's light it up!

Oh, wow!

Oh!

When ARISAK asked me to join in on this shoot, she didn't give me detailed instructions
on what I had to do.

So, we get to play it by ear, making it as we go.

It's like a jam session for artists.

That's fantastic.

Very good!! It's so nice!

I've realized that listening to all my collaborators'
advice means we create better things.

So, I don't tell them what to do, and they
always bring me amazing ideas.

I feel that it's still hard for upcoming artists
in Japan to break into the global industry.

And that's too bad.

I want to show them, "Japanese artists are cool, too!"

And that these talented people are
ready to make epic art together.

If not for photography, I wouldn't have
met so many amazing people like this.

Using this tool of expression has opened
my world and enriched my life.

Compared to before, I love who I am now.

It's a wrap! Thank you all!

Thank you!

On this day, I was revealing the new work I created
with Gyutae and collaborators at an art exhibit.

ARISAK was invited to participate in a contemporary art exhibit.
The theme was “Photographic Expression in the New Era.” Come here, my girl!

Meet my promo model.

I designed my model's look so that
she represented my viewpoint.

This way, visitors could experience
my photos in a 3-dimensional way.

Exhibits are usually a sort of one-way street.

But ARISAK gives us a performance
along with her work.

It's an interactive experience you can only
have in person, and it fits this new era well.

I never thought I would buy this kind of art.

But meeting her today inspired me,
and so I bought one.

I'm not always sure how to assert
my views in my work.

But artists like you who are always
pushing the limits of creativity, know how to give their audience
something exciting.

- Thanks to you, I feel inspired to go create more.
- That's nice to hear!

- I was feeling a bit stuck.
- I'm happy, then.

Me too!

To me, my fellows are...

My mirror.

I think that through them, it's revealed
back to me just how far I've come.

Today, I'm going to meet my mentor Mr. Ohshiro,
who taught me all about photography.

Mr. Ohshiro is a photographer,
but he's also a magician.

You came here a lot to shoot for your portfolio.

I can't even count how often I shot here.

And so much art was born from that.

When ARISAK was a newbie,
she practiced shooting
here for 3 years.

Back then, when I saw what kind
of work you were creating, I realized that you had so
many ideas in your head.

So, I held back on saying too much,
so that you could create freely.

Oh, really?

I knew that I needed to get better
at many different skills.

- It was so important to me.
- Oh, I totally agree.

I　practiced magic when I was a kid
because I was bad at socializing.

As my magic improved, I found myself
able to speak in front of people.

I know there seems to be no link
between magic and photography, but after my magic shows I would take
a group picture. At the same time,

I'd magically "pull" a card out of my mouth.

People reacted to it with surprise
but also with smiles on their faces.

That's beautiful.

It's my personal photography style.

That's true. It's what makes you unique.

When I had my ice-skating accident as a kid,
it was such a negative experience at the time.

But now I see that it also makes me special.

And since I can still skate, I use
that skill to shoot on the ice.

Yep.

One day I thought, "Maybe if I put this skill with
that skill, I could do something interesting!"

And that maybe this was something that only
I could do, something that I could "own."

Yes, by combining skills.

I could create a new viewpoint.

Of course, everything I do is
still a learning process.

It means you're eager to absorb more.

Please teach me again.

I think you should teach ME!

To me, freedom means...

To never think twice. To just do it.

I'm here at an ice rink to film the legendary
figure skater, Asada Mai.

Asada Mai is a
professional figure skater.

She has represented Japan at
many international competitions.

I couldn't compete as a figure skater
because of my accident.

But, through that obstacle I found
what makes me unique.

Now, I think I'm the only videographer in Japan
who can skate on ice and film at the same time.

Okay, I'm excited!

Can you sit over here?

That's awesome!

Very cool. OMG!

The whole world knows that
figure skating is beautiful.

I want to elevate it by making a movie that
combines it with art and high fashion.

This is "Fashion on Ice".

WOW!

Cool!

It looks like a music video for your new single.

Haha, yeah, it's that good.

It was a one-of-a-kind experience.

She has such a singular vision that I wanted
to be a part when I saw her photography.

As someone who represented Japan on the global
stage, I think she can stand in that position as well.

I will support her along the way and I'm looking
forward to seeing so much more.

When I was a figure skater, Asada Mai
was someone I idolized, so being able to work with her
now is a dream come true.

I'm really in heaven.

My camera has taken me to places
I'd only ever dreamed of, much more than what I'd seen
with my 10 years of skating.

To me, the future is...

Yet to be colored in.

No one knows what colors the future holds.

But as for me, I know I have so
much more to create and show.

Yeah, I can't wait.