Zoren Gold ＆ Minori’s Fantasy World

18 Oct 2006 Category: Features, Photography

Zoren Gold ＆ Minori’s Fantasy World

From Zoren Gold&Minori's first solo book "Object that Dreams"
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

Zoren Gold＆Minori met each other in LA and now work together in Tokyo as an artist duo: Zoren from Germany and Minori from Japan. They mix various techniques such as illustration, collage and graphics based on photography. Their sensual and fascinating imagery combines some LA flavor, bewitchery of Europe and the craziness of Tokyo. Today, PingMag invites you to Zoren Gold＆Minori’s fantasy world. So, please come in…

Written by Chiemi


From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

Could you quickly introduce yourselves first, please?

I (Zoren) am German. I moved to LA in ‘95 and started my self-taught photography in ‘97 to then begin working as a freelance photographer in ‘98.

I (Minori) am Japanese. I graduated from Otis College of Art and Design in LA in ‘96, then started to work as a freelance illustrator/graphic designer. Since 2000, we’ve been working together and we moved to Tokyo in 2002.


From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

How did you meet each other and how did you start to work together?

We met each other through an art director in LA who was working with Zoren on a project at that time. We liked each other’s work and started to talk about what would happen if we were to mix our skills using photography as the main medium. A little later, we started to work together.

How do you work together usually? Who plays which role?

It changes every time. We try to have a different approach and different point of view each time, because otherwise - it gets boring.

Is there any particular piece of your work, where people started to notice you?

Here in Tokyo, people started to recognize us after we did the album art for Japanese singer, UA: “Drobo” and her single “Senko”.

UA’s album “Drobo”
© Speedstar International, Victor Entertainment

UA’s single “Drobo”
© Speedstar International, Victor Entertainment

What have you been working on recently?

We joined BEAMS 30th anniversary event “TOKYO STYLE CLASH／HOT OR NOT” held at the International Gallery last weekend.

Oh yes, I’ve been there! That was a collaboration, a competition of BEAMS and Nick Knight’s SHOW Studio to select the best fashion in Japan. But what did you do there exactly?


kick-off party of “TOKYO STYLE CLASH／HOT OR NOT” produced by Miho Kinomura from STUDIO D.O.G.INC.

Photo shooting. The winner will get $8,500, so some people are very serious..

Photos will be shown at SHOW Studio’s website during 20th Oct - 20th Nov.

People dressing up as Japanese violent running tribe “Bousouzoku“. One of them has a bousouzoku doll attached on his head..

We were chosen to do the showcase at the kick off party and we also did some photo shootings as one of nine photographers at the main event.

Your work has very tight connection to fashion and you must have seen fashion scenes in different cities. What do you think about the Japanese fashion scene, particularly in Tokyo?

We don’t know so much about fashion scenes in general, but here in Tokyo the scene is quiet rich. It seems to become less creative over the last few years, though, but there are always some surprises and unexpected moments every now and then!

Any other projects?

We finished making a music video with Miwa Sasagawa. This was the first one we directed, shot and edited by ourselves. We also did photography and art direction for Kahimi Karie’s new album “Nunki”.

Our first solo book, “Object that Dreams” has just been published by Die Gestalten Verlag on 4th October, too. (It’s going to be published in Japan very soon, please be patient ;-)


The cover of Zoren Gold＆Minori’s first solo book, “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

Nice! How did you happen to have a whole book published?

We send out some mails to people including one to Die Gestalten Verlag announcing the update of our new website. Robert, the publisher of Die Gestalten replied saying that he liked our work and he might contact us again about some future collaborations. Then, just 10 minutes later, he mailed again and offered us to do a solo book of our works.

So can we call this book “the best collection of your work” you’ve done so far? And is there any message from you to people who take a look?

We didn’t edit the book, so you can call it a selection of our works from the past to present. The message is simply “ENJOY!”.


From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

What do you pay attention to most when working on a project?

After each photoshoot, we try to visualize the captured images in our minds, try to find a potential “essence” and bring that to the surface.

How would you describe your style?

Erotic, surreal, unexpected, a personal journey….


From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

From “Object that Dreams”
© 2006 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

There is no conscious statement or hidden agenda behind of the images when we create. It is just a reflection of our unconscious thoughts and desires. A vision comes while playing with images.

Portrait © Zoren Gold & Minori

Zoren and Minori, thank you so much for taking us to your fantasy world today. We are looking forward to see more of your work in the future!

47 Comments

  1. Cool and twisted. Love it.

    Posted by: Cyberpukish on October 18th, 2006 at 10:45 pm

  2. oh yEah~…so sexy art..

    make me crazy… yeah yeah yeah~!

    Posted by: x-noise on October 19th, 2006 at 12:37 am

  3. i love the makeup and the art in it…a tad bit weird for my taste but still nice :)

    Posted by: Jonelle on October 19th, 2006 at 2:41 am

  4. sorry..i have a question? huh
    is mi and zo get married?

    enjoy life together, include works.
    the love make two guys better performance.

    Posted by: x-noise on October 19th, 2006 at 9:49 pm

  5. I really hope they would have an exhibition in Melbourne one day. Absolutely love it!

    Posted by: Wee Keat on October 20th, 2006 at 11:43 am

  6. What bollocks.

    Posted by: Foo on October 20th, 2006 at 9:53 pm

  7. Wierd.

    Posted by: Badger on October 24th, 2006 at 6:29 am

  8. I´m amazed by ur artwork…it is so different and so close at the same time.

    Posted by: Eva on November 5th, 2006 at 11:22 pm

  9. I’m stunned. Some of the most progressive work on the planet. Lovely. Thank you for making it.

    Posted by: The Flying Dutchman on November 26th, 2006 at 5:00 am

  10. Hi!
    Looks like a nice site..aint been here for long but I like it already. Really good site, and a pleasant surprise.

    Posted by: CALEB on February 10th, 2007 at 1:19 am

  11. really amzing & a work of freedom

    Posted by: neetesh on March 6th, 2007 at 6:36 pm

  12. i have been looking at gold and minori’s work alot lately, the more i see and the more about them i discovery the more swept up and memorized i become, they are my inspiration. easy

    Posted by: Hermione on July 2nd, 2007 at 6:59 pm

  13. [...] siehe auch Interview mit Zoren Gold & Minori im Pingmag [...]

    Posted by: modabot » Buch: "Object that Dreams" von Zoren Gold & Minori on July 5th, 2007 at 5:18 pm

  14. Your pictures are soo weird but for some reason I like em. Allot.
    Kidding.

    um how come there is no picture of you because i’m doing a project on ya.
    And how come you take pictures of girls so revealing. I feel so offended.:(

    Posted by: jdxfkbgifdxhgobm on February 16th, 2008 at 10:43 am

  15. Thank you for sharing your work. It is brave stuff and I have enjoyed it tremendously. It is a substantial achievement to be able to live and produce work so close to each other. This kind of idiosynchrasy is the only thing that can save us.

    Posted by: John Freeman on February 23rd, 2008 at 4:56 pm

  16. [...] some LA flavor, bewitchery of Europe and the craziness of Tokyo… read their interview on Pingmag http://www.mi-zo.com Posted on 23 May 2008 by [...]

    Posted by: Mi - Zo imaginary world | Set Your Style on February 28th, 2010 at 5:09 am

  17. Maurers only weaken, belly, waist and hip area also gets rid of fat in areas such as the still.

    Posted by: maurers on February 22nd, 2011 at 6:33 am

  18. I like this ..

    Posted by: Swiss Reader on March 22nd, 2011 at 6:51 pm

  19. Thanks for an honest and truthful post, I like it very much. And happy new year!

    Good writing, this article bring me a lot. Your blog is great, thanks for sharing.

    Thank you for bringing more information to this topic for me. I’m truly grateful and really impressed.
    fhfhs

    Posted by: men watches online on May 23rd, 2011 at 11:56 am

  20. john gray

    Posted by: the best teeth whitener online on May 25th, 2011 at 8:27 am

  21. Beautiful website.

    Posted by: gardens on June 1st, 2011 at 10:32 pm

  22. Yeast Infection is something you dont knead to live with there is many cures

    Posted by: Anonymous on June 3rd, 2011 at 6:27 am

  23. If you want to know more about Backlink Profit Monster REVIEW, is Backlink Profit Monster SCAM or Even The Real Deal? You’ve come to the right site.

    Posted by: Anonymous on June 12th, 2011 at 3:21 am

  24. Thanks for your help, I have been looking for this for quite a while.

    Posted by: Big Affiliate Profits Review on June 13th, 2011 at 8:24 am

  25. I want to see the many development of this site.

    Posted by: innovative healthcare on June 15th, 2011 at 3:34 am

  26. tutti i componenti ecessari per l’autocostruzione di

    Posted by: energie rinnovabili on June 17th, 2011 at 11:27 am

  27. This is a very nice article and superbly written. I have bookmarked and will check back often.

    Posted by: How to get the Abs on June 27th, 2011 at 2:13 am

  28. Good topic..keep the good content coming

    Posted by: Marketing on July 7th, 2011 at 4:44 am

  29. Your comments about the quake and resultant side show was on target. Thank you.

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 16th, 2011 at 1:20 am

  30. This is a extermely nice article and very interesting. I have bookmarked and will check back often. Thank you for your contribution.

    Posted by: Weight Program to Lose Weight on July 30th, 2011 at 11:46 am

  31. You’ve got great insights, keep up the good work!

    Posted by: Free Facebook Like's on July 31st, 2011 at 2:00 am

  32. I believe you convey some fascinating points that not too many people discuss . It’s fascinating to see it from this perspective. I really enjoyed the post!

    Posted by: Bill Poulos Forex on August 10th, 2011 at 5:20 pm

  33. I am a big fan of forex and finance so I find this topic very interesting. I always like to undertsand a new way of looking at it. Thanks for the information.

    Posted by: Marketing Strategy Template on August 16th, 2011 at 5:43 pm

  34. This read was attention-grabbing to read. I am interested within the topic so I was joyful to return across this article.

    Posted by: Health Natural Products Database on September 9th, 2011 at 10:13 am

  35. Thanks for entertaining the thought.

    Posted by: Car Insurance on September 10th, 2011 at 2:51 pm

  36. State Bank Of India Jobs

    Posted by: Shine.com on October 19th, 2011 at 10:23 pm

  37. My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

    Posted by: GennieDurfey on November 9th, 2011 at 9:04 am

  38. Very Nice! makes me remind the coloured performance of the early pink floyd!

    Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 5:39 am

  39. Your business sounds interesting. Why is it important to the industry?

    Posted by: See Clear Without Glasses on November 10th, 2011 at 10:50 am

  40. More people need to read this and understand this aspect of the story. I cant believe you’re not more popular.

    Posted by: computer repair jacksonville on November 11th, 2011 at 9:18 am

  41. I was Mtalbtvn

    Posted by: reza atayee fard on December 4th, 2011 at 7:24 am

  42. Travel Trips has been succesfully catering to travellers across the globe with its well established and secured Global Hotel Reservation System. Our 24X7 customer care support is there all along to help people with their hotel reservations, cancellations and other related issues. Featured are some interesting testimonials from our valued customers vouching for the credibility of Travel Trips.

    Posted by: Travel Trips on December 6th, 2011 at 3:41 am

  43. I’m very lucky to have found this website, this is exactly what I have been looking for All I can say is wow, you hit the nail by the head.

    Posted by: The Visayas on December 12th, 2011 at 11:09 am

  44. thanx for your valuable post…I love to see this type of interesting posts.

    Posted by: Watch Movies and TV Shows | AioStream on January 1st, 2012 at 5:45 am

  45. Hay very nice blog , keep it up buddy

    Posted by: Jammer on January 3rd, 2012 at 12:48 am

  46. Hi Very informative page, I will be back to view more. Keep up the good work.Play free flash games at http://www.gametriot.com ,It is a place for one who cannot live without gaming.

    Posted by: dress up gal on January 16th, 2012 at 12:36 am

  47. This piece of information is a gem for me, very helpful, really a great piece of writing, thanks for the effort made, really impressed.

    Posted by: Temple Jewellery on January 23rd, 2012 at 8:51 pm

  • Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • RawSugar
  • Reddit
  • YahooMyWeb
Previously on PingMag