An In-Depth Interview on Shigure Ui's Solo Exhibition "Ame wo Taguru" - "VTuber Shigure Ui is one of my works."

This year marks my fifth anniversary as a VTuber, and I’ve been wanting to do something big to celebrate. It's been four years since my last solo exhibition, and I felt it was time for another. So, I decided to combine the solo exhibition with a VTuber event, making it a milestone year for both Shigure Ui the illustrator and Shigure Ui the VTuber. That’s what led me to propose doing this exhibition.

I knew from the layout chart that the result would be good, but it went beyond my expectations by 200%, creating an exhibition space filled with everything I wanted to express I'm really happy with this exhibitionーit’s a lifetime achievement and I have zero regrets.

Everything really, but I was particularly happy with the space under the umbrellas, where the VTuber and illustrator sides blend seamlessly, creating a perfectly executed immersive environment. The music is different on each side, but it blends in the middle to create a new melody. Hamu, the music director, did a fantastic job with that!

I like all of them, but I was especially happy with the illustration with a black background and flowers. I was curious to see how it would look with a holographic finish, and I was thrilled to see the translucent quality it brought to the flowers.

Another standout is the illustrations on the curved wall on the illustrator side. The parts depicting raindrops have a varnish-like finish, and they look iridescent under the nearby lighting. It was by accident, but it's a unique visual effect that can only be appreciated in person, so I love it.

That's why I'm incredibly happy. In an era where you can view illustrations digitally anytime, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes physical exhibitions worthwhile. So this exhibition isn’t just about displaying printsーI wanted to create a visual experience that could only be fully appreciated in person, hoping that the unique qualities of the artwork would resonate differently than in digital form.

It is a bit of a contradiction, isn't it? (laughs) But I feel that less color allows for more imagination.

I guess it comes from how much I loved observing the sky and the atmosphere on my way home from school. Those memories have stayed with me, which is probably why you don't see many scenes set in the middle of the day. Back then, I used to take a lot of pictures of the sky and scenery on my way home from school.

I did, but it was more about the need to preserve memories than just enjoying photography. I took photos to keep a record of things I liked.

Of course. For example, the photo I used for the train tracks in the background of the illustration for the tanka poem collaboration was taken on a trip far from home. I knew I'd use it for a drawing someday, and it turned out to be the perfect time!

That's right. I use photos with my drawings when I feel that the art alone isn't enough. For example, in the CD cover illustration, the ground is an actual photo that sets the stage for the two-dimensional version of myself, with everything else rooted in reality. I didn't have the right reference, though, so while I was working on the draft I was hoping for rain, and as soon as it started, I went out to take the photo.

Precisely. I wanted to convey that everything other than the actual photo is fictional.

We arranged several frames in a studio and photographed them, and then I drew the illustration within them. The concept is that Shigure Ui, who used to be an artwork, has popped out of the exhibition venue and is about to perform live.

If I draw something romantic, for example, I don't want people to wonder if I've experienced something similar. (laughs) I enjoy those themes, but they do not reflect my personal experiences. Since becoming a VTuber, my personality has become more public, so I've been trying to separate my personal identity from my artistic identity, and that's one of the reasons why I'm doing this kind of project right now.

Yes, definitely. Even when I create original artwork that has nothing to do with my VTuber activities, people still tend to associate it with VTuber Shigure Ui.

Yes, I would really appreciate it if people could understand that distinction. Sorry if it sounds a little demanding on my part. (laughs)

I've always loved creating things with others, but being an illustrator often means working alone, so I haven't had many opportunities to do so. Since I started as a VTuber, commissioning stream overlays and music has really opened my eyes to the joy of collaborating with others. I've always wanted to try creating something with someone else, even just a single illustration, which led to the collaborative works in this exhibition.

It was incredibly fulfilling to work on that. But as much as it was fulfilling, it was also challenging. It made me realize how much I rely on intuition when I draw. Translating text into images and giving them meaning really highlighted how I typically draw based on mood.

That's right. Creating art that could become a tanka was a bit tricky but definitely rewarding.

That's true. It's somewhat rare for illustrators to find themselves commissioning work from others, so when you do, you have to be able to clearly articulate your vision and trust your collaborators. My approach is to explain about 60% of what I want and allow the creators to interpret the remaining 40% as they see fit. That's how we approached this project.

Last time, I gathered all the pieces I had drawn until then, which ended up being mostly about high school girls. (laughs) This time, however, the collection includes many pieces that were created more in tune with others.

Both Aoki and I feel strongly about not compromising on quality, and we wanted everything about this exhibition to reflect our commitment to that. We didn’t just want to sell merchandise based on the artwork aloneーwe focused on the quality of the materials themselves, making sure that the items are worth buying for more than just the art.

I'm truly blessed. I definitely couldn't have done this solo exhibition alone. The best thing about me, I think, is the great people I have around me. I believe in living a life that gives back to those who support me.

It feels like everything we've been preparing is finally kicking off!