[Otsuka Ai Interview]Her first solo performance is about to begin! The view she has seen over the past 20 years and her next destination: “I’ve always enjoyed the thrill of competing”

Ai Otsuka is forging ahead to a new stage in her artistic journey.
Otsuka’s first solo exhibition will be held at Spiral Garden in Aoyama, Tokyo (Spiral 1F) from the 18th of this month.



Ai Otsuka debuted in 2003. She produced many hit songs such as “Sakuranbo” and “Planetarium”, and has demonstrated her multifaceted talents not only as an artist, but also as a composer, picture book maker, illustrator, and novelist.
As an artist, he has established a unique presence.

Last September marked the 20th anniversary of her debut, and on September 9th, Otsuka’s birthday, she held an anniversary and birthday concert at Hibiya Park Concert Hall (commonly known as Noh-on), marking the milestone in spectacular style.

In recent years, she has also worked as an illustrator and picture book author, and began oil painting in earnest in 2019. She has also been actively involved in other creative endeavors, such as calligraphy and flower arranging.

This time, we interviewed Otsuka just before his first solo exhibition.
We had a long talk with him about what prompted him to hold the solo exhibition, what its highlights are, his 20-year career as an artist, and his future goals.


–Congratulations on holding your first solo exhibition!

Otsukathank you!

What prompted you to hold this solo exhibition?

OtsukaAs I celebrate the 20th anniversary of my debut, I have been selling picture books and exhibiting art in a three-dimensional manner since my debut, as a way to connect the past 20 years with the next 20, and before I knew it, I had accumulated a lot of pictures.
Since I was little, I have been writing words in picture books and with a brush pen for calligraphy, so I was thinking about holding an event featuring that kind of thing, and then I came into contact with Spiral and asked them to do the project.


Ai Otsuka “Un”

-Why did you start oil painting, calligraphy, flower arranging, etc.?

OtsukaWhen I sent out my demo tapes, I was making my own picture books by hand. I don’t remember much about the time, but maybe I wanted to show that I was different to conventional artists, or maybe I just did it because it just occurred to me, but even before my debut I was making picture books to express my songs in different ways, not just through sound, but through pictures and stories as well.
When signing my name, I find it easier to write with a brush than with a Maki pen or something similar, and I’d never really thought about why I like brushes so much, but after trying my hand at calligraphy I realized that the ability to express the characters made with a brush as picturesque words is what calligraphy is all about.
I found this style very interesting, so this time I had a teacher teach me and I learned the characters once again, and then I started working on artistic calligraphy.

–In 2021 and 2022, you yourself exhibited your works at “e to oto to… ~ART×MUSIC~”. How did you feel about your artworks actually being seen by so many people and setting off on a journey?

OtsukaWhen I create a song, it gets copied many times on CD or some other medium, and I’ve been able to enjoy the joy of having more people listen to it for many years. However, when it comes to selling a painting that is the only one of its kind, and since oil paintings are not completed right away, it feels like a family member who has lived with me for a long time is being given as a bride to someone else.
Therefore, the joy and elation I felt when it sold well was different from when I did with music.

–The oil paintings and calligraphy works on display at this exhibition are based on Otsuka’s own songs. Can you tell us what the highlights of the exhibition are?

OtsukaThe value of sound exists, and I’ve always been inspired by pictures, scenes, videos, and movies, and so on, primarily through instruments. My position with music has always been that there is always an image attached to it, so it feels quite natural to be able to see a picture.

-How do you feel about Spiral Garden being the venue for your first solo exhibition?

OtsukaI was hesitant because I felt like maybe I was making a mistake or maybe I was getting too carried away. (laughs)
I was really conflicted about whether it would be better to hold the event in a size that was appropriate for a new company.
However, since this marks our 20th anniversary, and it’s not that it’s the weight of the 20th anniversary, but the fact that it’s made possible by the participation of so many different people, and considering that it’s our 20th anniversary since our debut, I sometimes think that even something as large as Spiral would be acceptable, but I still can’t help thinking about whether it’ll be okay.

–Looking back on the 20 years you’ve been active as an artist, can you tell us how you feel now?

OtsukaIt was a constant process of experimentation and failure, like a constant gamble.
It was like going beyond my comfort zone, or maybe I was taking a gamble thinking I might fail, and I was constantly experiencing the thrill of the gamble. I haven’t really used the word “comfort” in those 20 years.


Ai Otsuka “φ”

–What do you think about the pamphlet “AIO ART” that comes with the CD of your first mini-album “graine” that is all piano instrumentals, being sold at the exhibition venue and online? (I heard you were particular about the paper quality and binding.)

OtsukaIn my work, I don’t really like singles, so I’ve always tried to put a little bit of my favorite taste in my albums, such as being a little instrumental. My manager at the time thought it would be better to let me show that in full. 15 or 16 years ago, he asked me if I wanted to try a piano instrumental, and I started recording in the studio. I had a baby and other things that stopped me for a while, but I was busy doing a lot of things after that, while I wanted to finish it somehow.
However, now that it’s my 20th anniversary, I thought again about something more artistic, like painting or calligraphy, and realized that an instrumental piece is the musical form that is most suited to me, so I decided to release a piano instrumental, even though I’m not very good at it.

-What was the atmosphere like at your 20th anniversary live concert last September?

OtsukaIt felt like a wild party, and some members who had danced with us for the first time in a while joined in, so it felt like everyone, including the audience, were like relatives!

–What are your future plans as an artist (including music and art) and what challenges would you like to take on?

OtsukaI don’t want to push myself too hard, but I want to keep giving myself a little stimulation and leave the possibility of what will come out of it. I want to actually go to the city to experience more art and music and see what kind of chemical reaction occurs. I also want to go abroad for a long time after my daughter becomes a little more independent and get some stimulation.

–Finally, please give a message to those who are looking forward to this solo exhibition.

OtsukaEach piece is truly important and has been carefully crafted without compromise, so I hope you enjoy watching them. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to bring the show to your home, please take good care of your children!



＜Outline of Ai Otsuka’s solo exhibition＞
・Title: AI OTSUKA 20th ANNIVERSARY ART EXHIBITION AIO ART
・Date: Thursday, July 18th to Monday, July 29th, 2024
– Venue: Spiral Garden (Spiral 1F, 5-6-23 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
・Exhibition contents: Oil painting, calligraphy, flower arrangement
・Fee: Free to view


A limited edition of the pamphlet “AIO ART” with CD for Ai Otsuka’s first solo exhibition to be held in July!
This collection of oil paintings based on his own songs comes with a CD of the mini-album “graine,” which contains all piano instrumental songs.

“AIO ART” AI OTSUKA
Exhibition pamphlet (24 pages) + CD mini album
¥7,590 (excluding tax ¥6,900)
Piano instrumental mini album
“graine”
“recorded music”
01. un
02. deux
03. Trois
04. River
05. Star
06. Blue
Produced, composed, arranged and performed by AIO
Release date: 7/17
■mu-mo shop product page
https://shop.mu-mo.net/avx/sv/list1?artist_id=OHTUK


＜Ai Otsuka SNS information＞
・Formula X:https://twitter.com/ai_otsuka99
・Official Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aiotsuka_official
・Instagram for art:https://www.instagram.com/aioart_official/