・Explanation of the art work “BabyTector”

The size of the piece is about 50cm, roughly the same size as a newborn baby.

The common design use pants reminiscent of diapers and teething rings.

The weapon-like equipment carried by each art work are baby rearing aids (milk bottles held like machine guns, rattles like blunt weapons, spoons and forks used as nunchucks, etc.)

The babies are made out to be heroes that protect themselves with their protective suits while also taking care of and supporting other children.

・「BabyTector」Art Concept

When I became a father, I rejoiced at the birth of my son, but at the same time I was reminded of the many incidents of child abuse and child deaths reported on a daily bases.

My work reveals this conflict between society and humanity by portraying newborn babies that protect themselves from the outside world and enemies, while I substituted into this portrayal another point of contradiction of a child looking after other children.

There is a strong anger and resentment in me against child abuse, but there is also some feeling that, if I had been born to a different life or into different circumstances, I myself might also have raised my hand against my own child.

There is no question that I love my son, yet those feelings still exist and therefore although the design may be humorous I believe I have armed the child in armor.

The humorous design of the piece represents my desire to have a happy family life, and the concept of the art works is to question myself as the ideal image of a father or the image of a good man.

I feel that producing this series of work is about reconfirming my love for my son.

 　 向井　正一

・ The Mainichi Daily News  (Wednesday, March17, 2010)

「An injection of child-rearing power for the ultimate guardian angel」

At first glance it looks humorous, but the hidden message is serious and contemporary.

Don’t despise Syoichi Mukai’s artwork, “BabyTector,” as a mere model.

Mukai became a sculptor in his late 30s, and combines his own experience as a father with his technical expertise to create heroes.

His previous career was as a creator of tokusatsu (Japanese television dramas with special effects, usually featuring superheroes) characters at Rainbow Zokei Kikaku, the producer of series including “Power Rangers” and “Masked Rider”. He is a real professional at producing specialized models, having worked for 13 years in the “Villains Team”, which deals with villains and monsters, and having risen to become head of this team.

Mukai is from Osaka, and decided to return to his home town when his wife became pregnant, so that they could bring up their child in Osaka.  An invitation from one of his friends to take part in a Kinki University alumni exhibition led to a new career as an artist.

He exhibited a sculpture molded from his wife’s pregnant belly.  Until then, he had always operated behind the scenes, but this experience ignited a desire to express himself in public.

Soon afterwards, he created“BabyTector”.  In 2009, Mukai entered his work in the “GEISAI”exhibition mounted by Takashi Murakami.  After coming to attention at “ART OSAKA 2009”, he held his first solo exhibition in Osaka.

Now his previously dormant desire to be a creator is fully awake. “When my child was born, I thought I could die for him.  I realized what a strong presence he had, and that feeling led me to create the hero “BabyTector”, says Mukai.

“BabyTector” is 50cm tall, the same height as his eldest son when he was born.

It is a new-born baby wearing a protector suit.  The component parts are made from various different types of plastic.  The 20 models created so far all come with different detailed designs and colors.  Each figure has a different role – for instance one has with a milk bottle on his back, while another’s function is to ward off injuries.

There is another reason why “BabyTector” was created.  “To me a baby is the most precious thing, but these days, if something goes wrong, that can lead to child abuse. I myself may have the potential to become an abuser. So I wanted to create something to protect babies”

“BabyTector”, the hero that protects babies, also encourages adults and makes us smile.

Copyright (C) 2010 Syoichi Mukai All Rights Reserved.