Moments - Digital Edition #69
Moments is an exploration of memory and nostalgia, with nature and architecture as its subjects, inspired by my peaceful experiences in traditional Japanese ryokans.
Some kind of memories reconstructed while souvenirs are fading as time passes.
The Digital Collection
The Digital Collection is a long form series and an animated piece that will loop through 4 different palettes for each NFT, emulating the time passing through seasons.
My inspiration for this collection comes from serene and dear memories of my time in Japan. For me, traveling there means experiencing relaxing, inspiring moments in traditional ryokans—far away from the city, surrounded by nature (sometimes literally in the middle of the forest), where you can genuinely focus on self-care. You spend time in an onsen, enjoy beautifully curated and prepared meals, and return to your room with an incredible view of the outdoors.
These places have a unique kind of architecture: minimalistic yet carefully constructed. Last year, I read a book called In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki, which helped me connect more deeply with the evolution of Japanese culture, linking a past I didn't know with the present day. Everything suddenly made sense to me. In a way, because of this book, I started seeing the Japan I knew differently (I noticed many many details), but also I started to have a look at my life and surroundings differently.
Today, whenever I’m faced with complicated moments or need to figure out a solution, I mentally revisit my time in those ryokans. It’s become a kind of escape for me, a place where I find peace. It also brings up a lot of nostalgia from my experiences there.
Earlier, I mentioned the architecture—I've decided to use that as the foundation for Moments. My starting point was the Japanese Shoji doors, constructed from wooden frames and washi paper. They became the structural basis for my artwork, where each block acts as a window into a memory, a window into a particular moment or passage of time.
Nature appears either clearly through a seasonal color palette or more subtly suggested by organic elements and movements. The geometric structure is blending with more organic elements. This approach reflects the idea of ephemerality—representing nostalgia, memories that were once clear but have since been reconstructed again and again, ultimately transforming into something uniquely ours, reshaped through multiple layers of reflection.