Kiyoshi AWAZU

I built my house approximately 30 years ago. Back then, the house was surrounded by rice fields and hills. An abundance of nature allowed even fireflies to occasionally wander in.

I asked architect Hiroshi Hara to design the house. Using the natural slope of the lot, the AWAZU HOUSE became the young architect's first work in his "Reflection House" Series.
Plane surfaces are predominantly symmetric and the walls on the right and left sides are "reflective" as if they are mirror imaged. This house maintains the same spirit as Hara's most recent design of Kyoto Station.

"Reflection House"

One late summer afternoon, about 3 o'clock, I made a short film of images projected on the walls in my house.
From the small windows, chestnut tree branches and leaves in the garden threw their moving shadow on the white walls.
I filmed the sight many times: the light and shadow, and the sound were accentuated in this "Reflection House".

For the last 30 years, I have produced numerous works of design, drawing and printing in this house.
Now the community has become an ordinary bedroom community with no space for growth.
However, when I wake up in the morning,I go to my art studio in the house, and I begin work as usual, listening to Prince and "The Song of the Birds", an old Catalonian folk song.