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Graduating honors student creates new sculpture for campus

Published: Monday, May 11, 2009

Updated: Monday, August 3, 2009 17:08

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Kazuki Takizawa poses for a portrait in front of his solarium sculpture along McCarthy Mall.

Kazuki Takizawa's fascination with art started while he watching a television show as a kid. Now he will be graduating from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa with honors in art, and he is currently constructing a new solarium sculpture on McCarthy Mall.

For Takizawa, art is emotional and expressive, but after some research, he realized art can provide relief through simple things.

"My piece is about color therapy," he said.

According to Takizawa, the cool colors of his glass promote relaxation and peace, especially the purples, which is why he chose to make many of the glass pieces in his sculpture violet.

When describing the inspiration for his solarium, Takizawa explains that it was a long journey for him to reach this point.

"I was so stressed out with (previous) work; a lot of my work was dark," he said. "This piece is different because it's positive and colorful. I went through some change."

Takizawa cut pieces of glass from a gigantic sheet and colored them to reflect his peaceful color palette. He also bent metal rods to create a curved frame for the glass. Although the solarium is still being constructed, the overall effect of the stained glass-like capsule is eminent.

Once the sculpture is completed, people can go into it and look out through the colored glass.

"(The sculpture) is meant to be looked at from the outside and the inside. It's an interactive piece," Takizawa said. "I want people who are stressed out to go in there and feel relaxed."

Reflecting on his studies in the art department, Takizawa appreciates his time here and all that he learned.

"I would definitely recommend (taking an art class) because it's fun. ... People should really take it to see if they like it."

Sidebar: To see more of Kazuki's work, visit kazukitakizawa.com

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