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
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