How Art Heals-WEB

79 33. Kazuki Takizawa WWW.KAZUKITAKIZAWA.COM CALIFORNIA, USA In his series of blown-glass sculptures, Container, Kazuki combines ele- ments found in nature with forms found in historical Venetian-style glassware to create vessels meant to contain personalities and emotions. “This is a series of works that I created over the years as I recovered from mental illness and thoughts of suicide. There was a time in my life when my depression was severe enough that I had irrational fears about going outside, looking at other people in the eye, or receiving a phone call. Around this time, I was inspired by the forms and colors of seashells, and the idea that shells function to protect the life of the sea creature living inside. I thought about a barrier—an invisible one—that I could create around me for protection from the outside world. “My earlier containers depict shell-like forms as the top portion of vessels. The process involved deforming a perfectly symmetric form that, at the time, was very satisfying. It represented to me the difference between who I really am versus who I present to others. My most recent containers deploy winglike handles. To me, wings signify freedom.” I made this series—actually, all of my work—in the hope of creating awareness of mental illness, depression, and suicide. It is also true that every piece of work I’ve made acts like a visual marker for me, a marker that helps me remember what I’ve been through. Each provides a means to ref lect upon my emotions and helps me learn more about myself. I think learning about myself and about depression and mental illness has given me an ability to be resilient and to help prepare myself for what I am getting myself into in the future.