Tatsuya Tanaka was born on November 9, 1981, in Kumamoto, Japan, and graduated from the School of Education at Kagoshima University.

A turning point in his career came in 2011 when he began using everyday objects as a source of inspiration, transforming them into true works of art through various creative means.

Throughout the development of his work, Tanaka sought out objects and models that suited his artistic vision, starting his miniature collection.

This collection included everything from architectural models to diorama figurines, including sculptures made from scratch or produced with the help of a 3D printer. It was during this time that he began sharing his creations on Instagram.

The impact of his art was not confined to Japan, garnering followers worldwide. Currently, Tatsuya Tanaka has a following of over 3.7 million, and his exhibitions have captivated audiences in Japan and beyond, being viewed by over two million people.

Internationally recognized, the photographer and art director expresses the concept of "Mitate," a traditional Japanese approach that provides new interpretations of everyday objects.

Tanaka's art is described as the perception of an object in a form different from what it was originally intended for, involving visual puns that require decoding through an associative strategy.

This aesthetic sense is also evident in various aspects of Japanese culture, such as literature, tea ceremony, gardening, and entertainment forms from the Edo period, such as Kabuki and Rakugo.

The Mitate Concept

According to Tatsuya Tanaka, the Mitate concept played a fundamental role in his work, inspiring him to create a miniature world from everyday objects.

The seed of this concept was planted when, during dinner, he observed his broccoli and imagined a miniature forest. This perspective of "Mitate" was already part of his childhood, where, with limited resources, he played with everyday objects like tissue boxes.

Throughout his adult journey, Tanaka turned this activity into a profession, constantly challenging the metaphysical perception of objects and altering the viewpoint by which they are recognized.

In addition to his visual creations, Tanaka is also the author of several books, including:

Miniature Life

Small Wonders

Miniature Trip In Japan

Assemble and Resemble Kumitata

Sushi Came To By Clothes

 

Learning from His Works

Tanaka considers the titles of his works important, but over time he has noticed that his followers offer suggestions for the titles of his pieces. He felt happy and surprised.

"When I have an exhibition and review my works, I occasionally change the titles thanks to a comment from a follower. My titles are transient and help preserve longevity by remaining open to change."

In his mitante world, Tanaka continues to share his knowledge in search of similarities between cultures.

"Creating something that can be understood by people from many different countries highlights the fact that we are all human, regardless of our religion or nationality."

Thus, the artist continues with his exhibitions, respecting differences and promoting unity.

"In today's world, people talk a lot about diversity. They want us to respect differences. But why not seek out the things that unite us?"

By jbanaggia

Image credit: Tatsuya Tanaka

Image credit: Tatsuya Tanaka 

Image credit: Tatsuya Tanaka 

Image credit: Tatsuya Tanaka