The birth of KONMASA began with a single tank-top.
In 2012, I headed to New York. The catalyst was fashion.
Being fond of clothing, I pursued my studies in fashion in the city I admired.
However, due to repeated misfortunes, I decided to abandon that path in less than two years.
From there, I began to wander around art museums.
The man, formerly known as Masaya Kondo, started to encounter contemporary art for the first time.
Technicalities and techniques were of no concern—drawn by the freedom, I delved into art without a deep understanding, yet I consumed various artworks nearly every day.
It was a Saturday, and from the evening, the Guggenheim Museum allowed entry on a donation basis.
Amidst slowly walking the spiral slope, I stopped in front of a painting.
Perhaps around 30 minutes passed.
Despite the crowd of observers, I noticed that I was the only one in front of that painting.
How can I describe this sense of discord?
Somehow, I got goosebumps.
As I touched my arm, feeling the goosebumps, I realized something.
I was wearing a tank-top.
Though I've always loved clothing, today I was walking the streets in just a tank-top as an undershirt.
I pondered for a long time.
In this very moment, the fact that I existed here was confirmed by this tank-top.
At the age of 23, I resolved to keep wearing the tank-top.
Time passed by for a while.
On April 5th, 2014, the first day I captured myself in a tank-top as a record.
At least once a year, I always photograph myself in a tank-top.
What I intend to pursue from now on might not be understood by many.
However, this is my declaration of "freedom."
THIS IS A TANK-TOP