——Please tell us about this work.

The title is “Prism “Dahlia + Peony”, and it is a prism installation with a flower motif. I set up a louver-shaped acrylic board in front of the window glass, and placed prisms of peony and dahlia flowers on each side. Peony flowers have a round, feminine, soft feel that envelops the space. Dahlias are more edgy and have a shape that has the power to stimulate space.

——Why did you choose flowers as a motif?

I always want to make light into a form, and this time I chose flowers as a form of light. The flower prism itself shines when it receives sunlight, and at the same time it is designed to store light. The petals are made of translucent prism sheets, allowing the landscape to be seen through them, while the petals are denser near the center, concentrating light. Real flowers show a variety of expressions and colors when exposed to sunlight. This work also aimed for the expression of flowers. .

——Mr. Matsuo creates a variety of works with the theme of light. What is the point this time?

This is a work that receives natural light from behind, but sunlight is really difficult. When creating works using artificial lighting, you can control it to some extent by adjusting the specifications, but this is not the case with sunlight. Above all, the power of sunlight is tremendous, and it is completely different from artificial light. I thought about how much of this energetic power I could incorporate into my work. "Interactivity" is also an important theme, and I view this as a natural phenomenon itself. There is always an interactive relationship between people, nature, and cities. Although the flower objects in this work are fixed, the way they appear changes depending on the amount of light shining in, the viewing position, and the scenery behind them can be said to be nature itself. I hope you enjoy the way it looks, changing depending on Time Zone of the day and the season.

——Did you have anything in mind when participating in the Marunouchi Street Gallery?

Is it "being modern"? I think that there are parts of sculptures and installations that change with the times and parts that remain the same. Many of my works use the latest technology or incorporate current movements, and they are strongly influenced by the times. On the other hand, sculpture also has a timeless quality. We thought that the latter would be more appropriate in cases where it would be installed for a certain Period like this time, so we decided to create it with modernity in mind.
I really like the area between Yurakucho and Tokyo Station, and I often walk there. Among them, Nakadori is particularly attractive because you can see how the city changes over the years. I believe that placing timeless art in a city that continues to develop creates a special experience.

——What do you think is the difference between works placed in exhibition rooms and public art?

When it comes to public art, the work must first be noticed. There needs to be a slight sense of discomfort that makes people wonder, ``Maybe it's a little different than usual?'' In that way, it somehow enters people's consciousness and before they know it, they are drawn into it. I think that's good public art. This time, I wanted to create a piece that would harmonize with Otemachi Bldg., where it will be installed, and integrate as much as possible with the landscape. In detail, the acrylic board is arranged in a louver shape as a stand for the flowers, but I intentionally cut the corners diagonally. The background will then be reflected in the edge of the acrylic, making the landscape look like a slit. When the flower prism overlaps with it, people passing by will notice it. The works that blend into the city of Marunouchi bring ``brilliance'' and stimulation to everyday life.

——For this project, this work will be the only one installed inside a building. It seems like this is often seen by office workers.

It's nice to be able to watch it calmly indoors. Marunouchi is also Tokyo's premier office district, and I feel that this work is located in a location that is typical of Marunouchi. I would be happy if working people grew attached to this work by seeing it every day.