Kindness in any form attracts me. Misae Nikkei's handcrafted metalwork is one of these cases. The design, the shapes, the gently outcome of her creations reveal an inner kindness. I always look for creators and humans whose work and their way of acting in everyday life could make me think of  parallelisms between the inside and outside "world". I believe that such connections could lead into deep self awareness, leading also in a better understanding of the human being. People who reflect respect for themselves, for each other and holistically for life, have consciously or unconsciously a path: to make life and people matter.

E. Alexaki: Your handmade metal objects seems that have a superpower and without having meeting you in person,  I connect  this characteristic with your own character. Strong will and at the same time a high sensitive soul. Do you identify? What thoughts come out of you?

M. Nikkei: Thank you for looking at the work I have made and expressing it as a sensitive soul. I shape the scenery and objects reflected in my eyes as they are. I like to walk in the mountains and grow plants, so there are many plants in the cutlery model. When travelling, i am also affected by the climate and architecture of the land. There is no stereotype that it should be like this because it is a cutlery. I create while enjoying free ideas and imagination without being trapped in thought. Instead of drawing design drawings and sketches, instead of taking pictures with a camera, I start with a simple prototype-like mould. When you make a prototype, when you get a flash, you will proceed to the finished form as it is. I value that I am in a flow state.

 

E.Alexaki: The sensitive details, the mindful design and the refined scheme of your objects create a unique object personality. Do you feel that you have the need to express yourself in that way cause through this way you feel safe? Do you believe that these qualities depict your peaceful self or your perfectionist self? Do these two feelings could be combined?

M. Nikkei: An emotional filter is applied to everything i see. The filter will be expressed differently each time. Then, I use my skills and my tools to visualise the expressions that come to my mind translating it into shape. Sensitive products can make details difficult creating sometimes humorous designs, so the material might change. I believe that we must have a good balance of personality, expression, and skills . I have a lot of things that I think I can't express without mastering skills.

When you are moved by what you see, an emotional filter is applied. The filter is expressed in the work. Skills and tools are also required to express, to visualise and transform shapeless objects that you have in your head into something that can be used in practice. It's the accumulation. I think all designers and artists are the same.

It is also important to distance myself from things (information from the outside) that keep your worldview, values, and intuition away. Happiness is different from what individuals want each other. I think that the more sincere we are to each other's inner voice, the more peaceful and harmonious the feeling of respect for the other person will be.

 

E. Alexaki: What is the philosophy of your art? Has common values with your life philosophy?

M. Nikkei: I don't have a philosophy. I'm just making it as I want. When my life comes to an end or when you can't make it, maybe I can tell someone the philosophy that I was in.

 

E. Alexaki: At the beginning you were creating handmade metal jewellery. What was your turning point for creating objects about tea tools?

M. Nissei: This is the time when the infection of Covid has spread. Many shops and restaurants have been closed and closed. I was also fired at that time and lost my job, so I was working at home. I received a lot of requests for cutlery to enjoy staying at home every day, even if I couldn't travel or go out. I made a lot of cutlery inspired by the styles of various countries and the old ones. That's the turning point me.

 

E. Alexaki: The outcome of your creations make me think of life and ourselves. The more we work deeply the real qualities inside us and in life the more powerful and peaceful the outcome. During the procedure of your work, what are the contradictory (or not) feelings you might have.

M. Nissei: I agree with your thoughts. When my consciousness was outside of me, my heart and my relationship with people were not peaceful. By focussing on ourselves, the understanding and respect of the other person is also changed significantly.

 

E. Alexaki: What raises your serotonin in your everyday life?

M. Nissei: It is important to get lots of sunshine when you wake up. I feel that serotonin is increasing in quiet time, such as watering flowers, taking a walk, and reading a book...in my case.