Here is the interview;
ME; At what age did you find that you was a talented paper sculptor?
JN; I was around 23 years old and half way through art school. I didn't think I had any talent in particular, just that I was very comfortable working with paper from the start.
ME; Did you always want to be a creative person or did you grow up with another career in mind?
JN; From a very young age I knew I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. Problem is... I never grew up!
ME; Do you remember the first complete piece of paper art/sculpting you did? and do you still have it?
JN; Yes, I made a fish for a graphics/packaging class at the Art Center. I have it hanging in my studio now.
ME; How does your passion for this discipline now, compare with when you first started?
JN; I'm just as passionate. As long as I can keep it fresh and challenging, it never gets dull or boring.
ME; Do you feel your at this stage in your career that you are no longer learning but you are now setting the standards, (teaching)?
JN; I will never stop learning! Only a fool would think they know everything. Though I'm teaching now, I find myself learning from my students! Very refreshing... but please don't tell them ;-)
ME; What is your all time favourite piece you have created and why?
JN; I really have no all time favourite piece, but the closest one to that could be the man with his typewriter, titled "The Writer". I like that piece because he's never satisfied with his creation. Next to him is a trash can filled with failed attempts, but he keeps typing anyway. That's me.
ME; Could you please describe a typical working day for Jeff Nishinaka, from waking up to going to bed?
JN; Wake up, check emails with a cup of coffee, read Google news to catch up on local and world events, eat breakfast... usually in that order. Then my day begins with either work or running errands (I like running errands in the morning to avoid traffic and it's easier to find parking), lunch, more work or chores around the house, dinner, more work and/or catch up on the evening news, check emails from overseas which usually come late night or very early morning, shower, surf on my iPad till I fall asleep. The day goes by pretty fast.
ME; What is the usual amount of hours you actually cut and sculpt paper in one session?
JN; It really depends. But if i'm on a deadline it could be 10 to 16 hours a day.
ME; The masterpiece you did for Fitzgerald & Co had over 1000 man hours correct? Was that just your hours and please try and describe your emotions from seeing it physically finished and then burnt to ash in the matter of minutes?
JN; It was a combined total of my and my assistants hours. From the beginning, I designed and created the sculpture for the sole purpose of burning it to the ground. I viewed it as a performance piece. It almost didn't happen though because there was a 60% chance of rain on the day of burning. So many factors and so many people were involved and every effort was focused on that one moment, which took about 15 minutes. It was pretty much all on my shoulders to make sure it happened the way we envisioned it. My emotions were of extreme relief and happiness to see it burn. It was meant to show how fragile life is and how easily it could be lost. It's one of the coolest thing's I've ever had the honor of being a part of.
ME; What do you do to relax?
JN; I like going to the movies, eating good food, gardening... geez I sound old...
ME; If you could only use 3 tools for paper sculpting, besides paper, what would they be?
JN; An X-Acto knife, my trusty mechanical pencil and my pair of tweezers. I borrowed the mechanical pencil and tweezers from my Dad 34 years ago and never gave them back. He had tons of drafting tools anyway and didn't miss them. Plus he knew I took them. I've used them for almost every single paper sculpture I've ever made. They're a part of my soul and not replaceable.
ME; Who has been or still is the most influential person for your work?
JN; My Dad said to choose one thing and one thing only and be the best at it. He said not to be jack-of-all-trades, good at everything, great at nothing. I'm still trying to live up to his words. My Mom deserves a great deal of credit for her unconditionally support.
ME; Who is the most famous person you have met through your paper sculpting?
JN; Jackie Chan the amazing funny kung fu movie guy. He's my biggest collector and owns at least 40 sculptures. Yeah, I think he's pretty famous... seems that a lot of people know who he is anyway.
ME; What 3 best bits of advice can you give me to help me progress in the paper cutting/sculpting career?
JN; Practice, practice, practice. Oh and also never give up, never surrender... have a plan B and C just to keep the lights on and food in the fridge, but stay the course.
ME; Finally, will you be coming to the UK anytime soon to work on a project or an exhibition? If so when and where?
JN; Was just there last Halloween to visit my art rep, Sam in London. Loved it there and hope to come visit again real soon! No project or exhibition are in the works though.
And there you have it! Thank you so much again Jeff for even responding to me. I learnt a lot from that and got some great advice too. I wish you all the best for the future Jeff, thank you.
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