Mafuyu’s Knitted Homes

6 Dec 2007 Category: Events & Exhibitions, Features, Japan

Mafuyu’s Knitted Homes

What on earth are these knitted homes doing here walking around? Awesome! "My Town in My Home: yoshikazu yamagata and mafuyu" was first exhibited at the Dutch Arnhem Mode Biennale in June, 2007. Currently you can have a look at it at the SFT Gallery inside The National Art Center, Tokyo.

Imagine a guy wearing a knitted house passes by on the street… Can’t be! Indeed, Mafuyu Murakami a.k.a mafuyu takes this quintessential granny’s hobby to an extravagant level: Who said that knitted items have to have to be boring things like socks? Why not make a knitted tentacle ring, a knitted crown or exquisite bracelets, or a whole house as walking decor? Today PingMag asks Mafuyu all about her knit art.

Written by Ryoko
Translated by Rie Ishimi

Mafuyu, when did you start your knit art?

Originally, I was doing illustrations. But when I realized I was not getting any better, I remembered the knit piece I used for my final work at university. I thought I should knit something again…

2005 was a productive year for Mafuyu in terms of funny shaped knitted goods, namely scarfs and other apparel. Photo by Junya Inagaki, Model: Chisato Kuroyone.

A knitted bonnet! Photo by Junya Inagaki, Model: Chisato Kuroyone.

And a funny faced hat! Photo by Junya Inagaki, Model: Chisato Kuroyone.

So what was your final work at uni then?

When I started creating my final work, I was wondering how much I would be able to express my feelings in a 2D painting, since I was doing oil and acrylic at that time. That is why I began to have an interest in some casual art that you can actually touch and feel: I started learning iron welding, but I did not like it because iron is too hard to touch and you need a special place to do the welding. So, I came up with “knitting yarn,” as it would be more familiar to people.

Mafuyu’s graduation work for uni: a knit that took three months to finish.

This is my first knit work, a one-piece dress with very long sleeves. Limited by working with flat surfaces, I created this to advance into three-dimensional objects. In contrast to my recent works, this one is solid black. (Laughs)

Glitzy rings for the “DRAWING” exhibition in 2006. Photo by Takashi Okamoto.

A beautiful sweater with delicate ornaments. Photo by Takashi Okamoto.

I want that necklace with big ribbons! Photo by Takashi Okamoto.

I guess you’ve always been a pro at knitting?

As a matter of fact, I was never good at knitting at all! (Laughs) But I felt that I would end up making only cliche items if I started by learning from how-to books. Since it was more about three-dimensional works than technique for my final work, I simply used knitting yarn as method and as material, the same way I would use pigments for painting. And make an image as closely as possible to my idea using yarn.

Her second exhibition “otoshimono’ in 2006. Photo by Kousuke Tamura.

So cute! Little knitted shark’s teeth as a necklace! Photo by Kousuke Tamura.

Powerful colours as well! Photo by Kousuke Tamura.

Your “My Town in My Home” project is a collaboration with fashion designer Yoshikazu Yamagata, and is currently exhibited at the SFT Gallery inside The National Art Center Tokyo: How did you come up with the idea of people wearing a house?

I met Yoshikazu Yamagata a couple of times, and we took notes and drew some designs and that image came up naturally. I don’t remember why we chose “house” as a theme.

A castle person in the centre is surrounded by colourful family homes. Fun! From the Dutch “My Town in My Home yoshikazu yamagata and mafuyu” exhibition.

Since Yamagata and I have different ideas, it would be difficult for us to create something together in complete agreement. Anyway, I think the image or the concept of a “house” exists in everyone’s mind regardless of shape or form - as a “home”, “a cozy place” or “a space for family communication.” Therefore, the common denominator between him and myself might be a “house.”

It took one year and lots of people to finish this magnificent knitted town! From the Dutch “My Town in My Home - yoshikazu yamagata and mafuyu” exhibition.

The details of every house are meticulously done, as you can see in these samples!

You usually work on your own. How was it to work with a lot of people for this exhibition?

It was a big accomplishment for me that I made it. The process from begin to finish was really important for me.

A flaming tiara with rings! Knitted! Photo by Kousuke Tamura.

Mafuyu’s cute green knots, right now on display at the LANVIN en Bleu shop in Omotesando.

Truly warm-hearted decor for wintertime!

What is important for you when you do your knit art?

I want to create something which draws people’s attention in either a good or bad way; something unique that makes them laugh. There are so many objects that exist as works of art, but I want to create something that people can relate to, something they can approach without necessarily going to an art gallery.

For the “Look. Touch. Image” exhibition in 2005: touchy gloves! Photo by Junya Inagaki.

Red ribbons at the “otoshimono” exhibition in 2006 - to remind you of things in the past. It is up to you whether you want to knit the undone yarns or leave as it is…

Soft-to-the-touch stuffed animal with nice stripes. Cuter than cute!

Mafuyu Murakami, the knit artist!

Thank you so much, mafuyu! Now, folks, go see the knitted homes at the SFT Gallery!

Exhibition:
”My Town in My Home: yoshikazu yamagata and mafuyu” at SFT Gallery
Venue:
The National Art Center Tokyo B1, 7-22-2 Roppongi, Tokyo. Map.
Date: Until December 24th. Schedule: Open Tue to Sun from 10am to 6pm, Fridays until 8pm.

69 Comments

  1. Wonderfull! I love knitting, but I am still stuck in pullovers, scarfs and socks.
    Your ideas are amazing!

    Posted by: Ivana on December 6th, 2007 at 8:46 pm

  2. so cute
    can i adopt one knitted home???

    Posted by: Horst on December 7th, 2007 at 12:32 am

  3. WOW we can only begin to imagine the time, effort and love that has been put into these colorful creations!
    Super fun!

    Posted by: TOKYOMADE on December 7th, 2007 at 11:05 am

  4. omg! she is my new hero O_O thank you so much for the awesome article.

    Posted by: nyankorita on December 7th, 2007 at 7:44 pm

  5. Wow. Thank you so much for the interview and photos — and thank you, Mafuyu, for the inspiring work!

    Posted by: Jenny on December 8th, 2007 at 3:39 am

  6. [...] “My town in my home” artist Mafuyu says in her Ping Mag interview that: “I think the image or the concept of a “house” exists in everyone’s mind [...]

    Posted by: Neo-nomad.net » Blog Archive » wear your home on December 8th, 2007 at 4:10 am

  7. waaaaaaaaaa! amazing! _

    Posted by: clau on December 11th, 2007 at 3:00 am

  8. [...] PingMag Scritto da Simone il 15 Dicembre, 2007Tags: accessori, arte, knitting, [...]

    Posted by: Il mondo fatto a maglia di Mafuyu – Frizzifrizzi.it on December 15th, 2007 at 5:01 pm

  9. It’s wonderful article.

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  10. It’s wonderful! I’ve seen ‘My town in my home’ when I was in Tokyo SFT Gallery and made an article for Korean who like design.

    Posted by: Spece Lee on December 22nd, 2007 at 10:24 am

  11. ♥

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  12. [...] the Shark # 2: This artist created necklaces of knitted shark teeth. But mostly I included it so you can scroll down through the other weird and cool things [...]

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  13. [...] factoid: mafuyu is also one of the artists behind the knitted homes (officially entitled ‘my town in my home’) that made the rounds on the internets some [...]

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  14. Wow, these knitted houses are terrific. I’d love to see them being worn around the city, just to see the double-take people do when they see them!

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    Posted by: Lady P on July 22nd, 2009 at 1:02 pm

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