Nicholas Taylor, who formed a band with Basquiat and lived together while capturing the real Basquiat, is also known as the "white DJ who scratched for the first time."
Dice&Dice conducted an interview with the most noteworthy brothers connecting culture and clothing, "the inoue brothers..."
"I quickly became friends with him, dancing crazily..." (Nicholas Taylor)
Dice&Dice:
-- I believe you have been sensationally active since the 80s, but what was the shooting session with Basquiat, who was also your subject, like?
Nicholas Taylor:
In January 1979, I first met Jean-Michel Basquiat at a place called "Mudd Club."
That night, I quickly became friends with him, dancing crazily and stealing beers...
After that, we took the train together back to my apartment.
At that time, he taught me how to interpret the graffiti sprayed inside the train cars.
I learned photography on my own, so I had a large white paper hanging on the wall of my apartment.
After we arrived at the apartment, I photographed him posing in various ways like a model.
It felt like I was photographing Marlon Brando or James Dean.
After taking about 40 photos, he asked me if it was okay to take my portrait.
He put tape on my face and took my portrait.
To my knowledge, my portrait is the only one he has taken.
"The communication between the two of us was strong." (Nicholas Taylor)
Dice&Dice:
-- What is your best memory with Basquiat?
Nicholas Taylor:
I remember best the times I spent with him in the loft where he painted.
From around 1982 to 1984, being able to see him paint up close was a very fortunate experience for me.
He always invited me; at that time, I might have been a kind of spiritual support for him.
We didn't talk much while he was painting, and I don't really know why he liked me, but our communication was strong.
What he painted late at night would change into something completely different by morning.
There were many paintings that changed right in front of my eyes.
It was a very stimulating experience.
"New York, where different cultures, including punk culture, intersect." (Nicholas Taylor)
Dice&Dice:
-- What prompted you to start taking photos?
Nicholas Taylor:
In 1975, I bought my first camera in Japan.
I traveled alone across Japan for six months, taking many photos.
After returning to America, I learned to develop black and white photos on my own and then took many more black and white photos in Europe.
After that, I moved to NY to build my identity in the art world.
At that time, New York was a place where different cultures, including punk culture, intersected.
I was able to step into many interesting environments.
For example, when I met Andy Warhol at the Mudd Club, I asked him what kind of camera he had, and he replied, "Minox."
I also got a Minox and returned to the Mudd Club.
The Minox, the size of a cigarette pack, became a special camera for me.
"A trivial thing compared to the discrimination and suffering that black people have endured."
(the inoue brothers...)
Dice&Dice:
-- How did you meet Nicholas Taylor, and what was your impression of him?
the inoue brothers...:
I first met Nick in 2006. Our senior, Kenichiro Tsuruta, introduced us.
He said coolly, "I’m going to introduce you to an amazing guy. He’s a pioneer of the avant-garde culture in 80s New York and was a close friend of Basquiat."
We have been huge fans of Basquiat since we were teenagers, when we started to become interested in art and street culture.
Although we were born and raised in Denmark, we look Asian.
We grew up being seen as foreigners.
We have experienced a lot of discrimination and prejudice.
However, I think it’s trivial compared to the discrimination and suffering that black people in America have endured.
In that environment, I admired Basquiat, who reached the top of the modern art world as a black man in just a few years.
I still deeply respect him and look up to him.
I remember being very excited.
"Towards high-quality design." (Nicholas Taylor)
Dice&Dice:
-- What do you think about the curiosity and commitment of the inoue brothers... towards clothing and various things?
Nicholas Taylor:
the inoue brothers... have a big concept that transcends various levels of things.
Satoru and Kiyoshi are balanced in light and shadow in various ways, sending us a peaceful message.
They are on a wonderful journey of making things with artistic craftsmen from around the world, from the bottom of their hearts.
I think collecting high-quality materials from around the world is reflected in the high-quality designs of the inoue brothers....
I consider it a luxury to be able to collaborate with them.
the inoue brothers... held a wonderful exhibition for me in Copenhagen and London.
In London, they took me to Dover Street Market, where I saw the display of the Basquiat T-shirts I photographed and the book "Jean-Michel Basquiat Through Nicholas Taylor" published by the inoue brothers....
The designs using the finest alpaca gathered from around the world, such as very warm autumn and winter sweaters and scarves, inspired me greatly.
At that time, I understood all the levels of the inoue brothers....
The journey to Bolivia, the soft and high-quality alpaca, and their earthy and spiritual taste.
Plus, that atmosphere of the inoue brothers....
"It is important to continue to maintain." (Nicholas Taylor)
Dice&Dice:
-- What is the spirit of creating sound and photography?
Nicholas Taylor:
In 1977, I moved to New York to create art, music, and photography.
It’s for the approach of creating something new with the same elements around me.
For me, that approach is a process that becomes an eternal possibility.
Thus, I was strongly overwhelmed by this radical approach and the raw environment of New York, and by the 1890s, I began to realize that I had mental issues.
I was completely overwhelmed and withdrawn, but my creative activities did not change at all.
I always continued to do art, music, and photography.
My cassette tape collection contains many tapes made by early HIPHOP artists in my apartment and tapes I made myself.
I spent hundreds of hours recording on tapes.
The group I was part of, GRAY, was a very crazy artist platform that included Jean-Michel Basquiat, Michael Holman, Wayne Clifford, Vincent Gallo, and myself.
Under the spirit of "ignorance is creativity," GRAY continues the spirit of 1979.
That’s why I think it’s important to continue to maintain GRAY with Michael Holman.
"The courage to challenge what you fear." (the inoue brothers...)
Dice&Dice:
What is the spirit of curating things and art?
the inoue brothers...:
Nick and I are about 20 years apart in age.
The era we grew up in has become increasingly commercialized, where everything is driven by money.
Especially in Scandinavia, it’s a graceful place, and our generation has a tendency to think about evaluations and sales before creating things.
Meeting Nick reminded us of the hungry spirit and rebellious soul of that New York hip-hop culture we loved when we were teenagers.
I think the soul that expresses anger against the unfairness of the powerful and society and wants to throw art into the world, regardless of whether you have no money or what others think, is what is needed in today’s era.
If you don’t have money to buy acrylic paint or canvas, the soul of graffiti that buys the cheapest spray paint at the paint store and uses the town’s walls as a canvas, if you don’t have money to attend dance classes, breakdancing on cardboard, if you don’t have money to buy instruments or studios, rapping on the street with two turntables and a microphone, that is the spirit of 80s New York.
Our generation tends to think everything should be safe and secure.
Our generation thinks about pensions 50 years ahead before working; is this okay? Thanks to seniors like Ken and Nick, we have been able to question this.
The spirit of that era and those people can be expressed in two characters: "courage."
It’s not about being fearless; it’s about having the courage to challenge what you fear.
The purpose of this curation is to convey the purest and most sincere spirit of Nick and Basquiat through their way of life.
We would be happy to share what we learned and were moved by meeting Nick through this event.
"The true imagination within yourself" "Courage"
Dice&Dice:
Finally, what do you want to convey to the young generation heading towards the future?
Nicholas Taylor:
Explore the world deeply and thoroughly. Go beyond common sense. Find your true imagination within yourself.
the inoue brothers...:
Have courage! Have confidence not to care about others' evaluations! Even if you have no money or didn’t graduate from a famous university, challenge everything and have a hungry spirit that doesn’t want to lose!
Be patient and never betray those who helped you.
Become someone who is respected, loved, and trusted by those around you!
Finally
Nicholas Taylor:
Meeting Jean-Michel Basquiat was a very enjoyable memory for me.
The Mudd Club was a very vibrant place that had just opened.
Young people like us were poor and had no money, but we could enter the club for free.
There was a crazy guy dancing next to me on the dance floor.
That guy welcomed me with a smile.
That guy was "Jean."
At that time, he wasn’t famous, but he was very popular.
I danced with him until late at night.
We laughed a lot, got high, and stole beers left by people dancing at the bar.
I knew he was a special person.
He was very young and overflowing with a creative aura.
His way of life at that time was both carefree and dangerous, yet very beautiful.
Dice&Dice:
We express our gratitude to Nicholas Taylor and the inoue brothers... for answering our interview via email before the event held at Dice&Dice. Respect!
Nicholas Taylor a.k.a DJ High Priest
(Nicholas Taylor / DJ High Priest)
DJ / Photographer.
A member of the New York avant-garde band "GRAY," which included Jean-Michel Basquiat, Vincent Gallo, Michael Holman, and others. He is also a DJ / beatmaker of the legendary No Wave / Hip Hop band "Death Comet Crew," which was active in the late 80s and continues to be active today. He is known as the DJ of the NYC Breakers and the white DJ who scratched for the first time. Additionally, he has various "faces" as a photographer, and is called "a living legend of New York."
the inoue brothers...
(the inoue brothers)
Satoru Inoue & Kiyoshi Inoue
The elder brother Satoru was born in 1978, and Kiyoshi was born in 1980.
Both were born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark. The designs born from their affection for the "Japanese delicacy" and "Nordic simplicity," which are the characteristics of the inoue brothers, are called "Scandinasian" design. Satoru is active as a graphic designer based in Copenhagen, while Kiyoshi is active as a hair designer based in London. They spend most of their income from there on the activities of the inoue brothers.
the inoue brothers... PRESENTS
J-M. BASQUIAT through Nicholas Taylor
NEW YORK NIGHT
Dice&Dice fukuoka & TOWNHOUSE
2015.5.14(thursday) 19:00~23:00
Dice&Dice tokyo
2015.5.16(saturday) 19:00~22:00
Dice&Dice will hold an event for "Nicholas Taylor" curated by "the inoue brothers..." at the Tokyo and Fukuoka stores.
On that day, Nicholas Taylor and the Inoue brothers will be present, and the photo book "Artist Edition Series / J-M. BASQUIAT through Nicholas Taylor" by the art magazine "PLETHORA MAGAZINE" from Copenhagen will be released, along with a book signing by Nicholas. The Inoue brothers will also release photo tees, and for this occasion, Nicholas will exhibit and sell original prints he took of Basquiat.
Additionally, a DJ party featuring Nicholas Taylor, who is also known as the white DJ who scratched for the first time, and more is planned.
Enjoy the world view of Nicholas Taylor, who is referred to as a living legend of New York.
*Please note that the Tokyo store is by invitation only.
Dice&Dice conducted an interview with the most noteworthy brothers connecting culture and clothing, "the inoue brothers..."
"I quickly became friends with him, dancing crazily..." (Nicholas Taylor)
Dice&Dice:
-- I believe you have been sensationally active since the 80s, but what was the shooting session with Basquiat, who was also your subject, like?
Nicholas Taylor:
In January 1979, I first met Jean-Michel Basquiat at a place called "Mudd Club."
That night, I quickly became friends with him, dancing crazily and stealing beers...
After that, we took the train together back to my apartment.
At that time, he taught me how to interpret the graffiti sprayed inside the train cars.
I learned photography on my own, so I had a large white paper hanging on the wall of my apartment.
After we arrived at the apartment, I photographed him posing in various ways like a model.
It felt like I was photographing Marlon Brando or James Dean.
After taking about 40 photos, he asked me if it was okay to take my portrait.
He put tape on my face and took my portrait.
To my knowledge, my portrait is the only one he has taken.
"The communication between the two of us was strong." (Nicholas Taylor)
Dice&Dice:
-- What is your best memory with Basquiat?
Nicholas Taylor:
I remember best the times I spent with him in the loft where he painted.
From around 1982 to 1984, being able to see him paint up close was a very fortunate experience for me.
He always invited me; at that time, I might have been a kind of spiritual support for him.
We didn't talk much while he was painting, and I don't really know why he liked me, but our communication was strong.
What he painted late at night would change into something completely different by morning.
There were many paintings that changed right in front of my eyes.
It was a very stimulating experience.
"New York, where different cultures, including punk culture, intersect." (Nicholas Taylor)
Dice&Dice:
-- What prompted you to start taking photos?
Nicholas Taylor:
In 1975, I bought my first camera in Japan.
I traveled alone across Japan for six months, taking many photos.
After returning to America, I learned to develop black and white photos on my own and then took many more black and white photos in Europe.
After that, I moved to NY to build my identity in the art world.
At that time, New York was a place where different cultures, including punk culture, intersected.
I was able to step into many interesting environments.
For example, when I met Andy Warhol at the Mudd Club, I asked him what kind of camera he had, and he replied, "Minox."
I also got a Minox and returned to the Mudd Club.
The Minox, the size of a cigarette pack, became a special camera for me.
"A trivial thing compared to the discrimination and suffering that black people have endured."
(the inoue brothers...)
Dice&Dice:
-- How did you meet Nicholas Taylor, and what was your impression of him?
the inoue brothers...:
I first met Nick in 2006. Our senior, Kenichiro Tsuruta, introduced us.
He said coolly, "I’m going to introduce you to an amazing guy. He’s a pioneer of the avant-garde culture in 80s New York and was a close friend of Basquiat."
We have been huge fans of Basquiat since we were teenagers, when we started to become interested in art and street culture.
Although we were born and raised in Denmark, we look Asian.
We grew up being seen as foreigners.
We have experienced a lot of discrimination and prejudice.
However, I think it’s trivial compared to the discrimination and suffering that black people in America have endured.
In that environment, I admired Basquiat, who reached the top of the modern art world as a black man in just a few years.
I still deeply respect him and look up to him.
I remember being very excited.
"Towards high-quality design." (Nicholas Taylor)
Dice&Dice:
-- What do you think about the curiosity and commitment of the inoue brothers... towards clothing and various things?
Nicholas Taylor:
the inoue brothers... have a big concept that transcends various levels of things.
Satoru and Kiyoshi are balanced in light and shadow in various ways, sending us a peaceful message.
They are on a wonderful journey of making things with artistic craftsmen from around the world, from the bottom of their hearts.
I think collecting high-quality materials from around the world is reflected in the high-quality designs of the inoue brothers....
I consider it a luxury to be able to collaborate with them.
the inoue brothers... held a wonderful exhibition for me in Copenhagen and London.
In London, they took me to Dover Street Market, where I saw the display of the Basquiat T-shirts I photographed and the book "Jean-Michel Basquiat Through Nicholas Taylor" published by the inoue brothers....
The designs using the finest alpaca gathered from around the world, such as very warm autumn and winter sweaters and scarves, inspired me greatly.
At that time, I understood all the levels of the inoue brothers....
The journey to Bolivia, the soft and high-quality alpaca, and their earthy and spiritual taste.
Plus, that atmosphere of the inoue brothers....
"It is important to continue to maintain." (Nicholas Taylor)
Dice&Dice:
-- What is the spirit of creating sound and photography?
Nicholas Taylor:
In 1977, I moved to New York to create art, music, and photography.
It’s for the approach of creating something new with the same elements around me.
For me, that approach is a process that becomes an eternal possibility.
Thus, I was strongly overwhelmed by this radical approach and the raw environment of New York, and by the 1890s, I began to realize that I had mental issues.
I was completely overwhelmed and withdrawn, but my creative activities did not change at all.
I always continued to do art, music, and photography.
My cassette tape collection contains many tapes made by early HIPHOP artists in my apartment and tapes I made myself.
I spent hundreds of hours recording on tapes.
The group I was part of, GRAY, was a very crazy artist platform that included Jean-Michel Basquiat, Michael Holman, Wayne Clifford, Vincent Gallo, and myself.
Under the spirit of "ignorance is creativity," GRAY continues the spirit of 1979.
That’s why I think it’s important to continue to maintain GRAY with Michael Holman.
"The courage to challenge what you fear." (the inoue brothers...)
Dice&Dice:
What is the spirit of curating things and art?
the inoue brothers...:
Nick and I are about 20 years apart in age.
The era we grew up in has become increasingly commercialized, where everything is driven by money.
Especially in Scandinavia, it’s a graceful place, and our generation has a tendency to think about evaluations and sales before creating things.
Meeting Nick reminded us of the hungry spirit and rebellious soul of that New York hip-hop culture we loved when we were teenagers.
I think the soul that expresses anger against the unfairness of the powerful and society and wants to throw art into the world, regardless of whether you have no money or what others think, is what is needed in today’s era.
If you don’t have money to buy acrylic paint or canvas, the soul of graffiti that buys the cheapest spray paint at the paint store and uses the town’s walls as a canvas, if you don’t have money to attend dance classes, breakdancing on cardboard, if you don’t have money to buy instruments or studios, rapping on the street with two turntables and a microphone, that is the spirit of 80s New York.
Our generation tends to think everything should be safe and secure.
Our generation thinks about pensions 50 years ahead before working; is this okay? Thanks to seniors like Ken and Nick, we have been able to question this.
The spirit of that era and those people can be expressed in two characters: "courage."
It’s not about being fearless; it’s about having the courage to challenge what you fear.
The purpose of this curation is to convey the purest and most sincere spirit of Nick and Basquiat through their way of life.
We would be happy to share what we learned and were moved by meeting Nick through this event.
"The true imagination within yourself" "Courage"
Dice&Dice:
Finally, what do you want to convey to the young generation heading towards the future?
Nicholas Taylor:
Explore the world deeply and thoroughly. Go beyond common sense. Find your true imagination within yourself.
the inoue brothers...:
Have courage! Have confidence not to care about others' evaluations! Even if you have no money or didn’t graduate from a famous university, challenge everything and have a hungry spirit that doesn’t want to lose!
Be patient and never betray those who helped you.
Become someone who is respected, loved, and trusted by those around you!
Finally
Nicholas Taylor:
Meeting Jean-Michel Basquiat was a very enjoyable memory for me.
The Mudd Club was a very vibrant place that had just opened.
Young people like us were poor and had no money, but we could enter the club for free.
There was a crazy guy dancing next to me on the dance floor.
That guy welcomed me with a smile.
That guy was "Jean."
At that time, he wasn’t famous, but he was very popular.
I danced with him until late at night.
We laughed a lot, got high, and stole beers left by people dancing at the bar.
I knew he was a special person.
He was very young and overflowing with a creative aura.
His way of life at that time was both carefree and dangerous, yet very beautiful.
Dice&Dice:
We express our gratitude to Nicholas Taylor and the inoue brothers... for answering our interview via email before the event held at Dice&Dice. Respect!
Nicholas Taylor a.k.a DJ High Priest
(Nicholas Taylor / DJ High Priest)
DJ / Photographer.
A member of the New York avant-garde band "GRAY," which included Jean-Michel Basquiat, Vincent Gallo, Michael Holman, and others. He is also a DJ / beatmaker of the legendary No Wave / Hip Hop band "Death Comet Crew," which was active in the late 80s and continues to be active today. He is known as the DJ of the NYC Breakers and the white DJ who scratched for the first time. Additionally, he has various "faces" as a photographer, and is called "a living legend of New York."
the inoue brothers...
(the inoue brothers)
Satoru Inoue & Kiyoshi Inoue
The elder brother Satoru was born in 1978, and Kiyoshi was born in 1980.
Both were born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark. The designs born from their affection for the "Japanese delicacy" and "Nordic simplicity," which are the characteristics of the inoue brothers, are called "Scandinasian" design. Satoru is active as a graphic designer based in Copenhagen, while Kiyoshi is active as a hair designer based in London. They spend most of their income from there on the activities of the inoue brothers.
the inoue brothers... PRESENTS
J-M. BASQUIAT through Nicholas Taylor
NEW YORK NIGHT
Dice&Dice fukuoka & TOWNHOUSE
2015.5.14(thursday) 19:00~23:00
Dice&Dice tokyo
2015.5.16(saturday) 19:00~22:00
Dice&Dice will hold an event for "Nicholas Taylor" curated by "the inoue brothers..." at the Tokyo and Fukuoka stores.
On that day, Nicholas Taylor and the Inoue brothers will be present, and the photo book "Artist Edition Series / J-M. BASQUIAT through Nicholas Taylor" by the art magazine "PLETHORA MAGAZINE" from Copenhagen will be released, along with a book signing by Nicholas. The Inoue brothers will also release photo tees, and for this occasion, Nicholas will exhibit and sell original prints he took of Basquiat.
Additionally, a DJ party featuring Nicholas Taylor, who is also known as the white DJ who scratched for the first time, and more is planned.
Enjoy the world view of Nicholas Taylor, who is referred to as a living legend of New York.
*Please note that the Tokyo store is by invitation only.