Jeu. is an artist collective founded in 2020 by architect Hideaki Nishimura and artist Yumi Toyama, integrating our backgrounds in architecture, mathematics, luxury fashion and beauty into our creations.
Guided by three core concepts—Spatiality, Dynamicity, and Constructivity—Jeu. draws on our expertise to develop a diverse body of work, including spatial installations, animation, furniture design, and architectural projects, all in pursuit of exploring the underlying rhythms, rules, and structures of space itself.

SPATIALITY

Our signature series of artwork, "2.5-Dimensional Constructs," is formed by stretching linen over a wooden frame designed according to architectural structural mechanics, characterised by its three-dimensional curved surface.
This curvature is not shaped through traditional sculptural techniques such as carving or casting, which involve direct material manipulation.
Rather, it manifests as a spatial phenomenon through architectural and dynamical logic—emerging from the interplay of structural principles and material properties—where tension inherently determines the resulting form, akin to tensile structures in architecture.
In this way, the construct transcends the flatness of conventional painting, expanding creative practice into space and challenging the perception and interpretation of Spatiality.

DYNAMICITY

This series does not intend to represent any specific subject, nor does it aim to depict concrete objects or motifs.
Insterad, it seeks to convey a sense of motion and force within a static structure through a geometric spatial composition that evokes opposing dynamic elements—such as flotation and descent, constraint and release.
The curved surfaces of the artworks, generated by the interaction between tension and structure, bear the traces of force and the echoes of movement, evoking a sense of 'frozen time'—as if the moment of force application has been suspended in permanence—while allowing latent movement, or Dynamicity, to emerge within visual stillness.
Thus, embedded tension and the interplay of stasis and motion become integral to the spatial concept, with Dynamicity acting as a visual and structural force that shapes the very perception of space.

CONSTRUCTIVITY

The three-dimensional form of Jeu.'s works is not defined by material that occupies space, but rather by the 'voids' that emerge through the interaction of tension and structure.
This is precisely the same methodology as architectural design, where space is shaped through structure, and the dynamic forces and tensions that arise within it imbue the void with its own unique spatial significance and experience.
As a result, the work goes beyond mere visual presence, encouraging the viewer to reflect on the construction of its structure and guiding their awareness toward the underlying mechanism of the artwork and the very essence of space itself.

Moreover, while Jeu.'s works can be classified as paintings due to the application of primers and paints to the material, their structure inherently incorporates Constructivity—an approach to organizing and constructing space based on structural logic and physical principles—transforming them into architectonic constructs.
This is the reason why they are referred to as 'Architectonic Painting.'
Ultimately, for Jeu., Constructivity exceeds a mere physical function supporting the work; it is an essential concept in which the structural system itself serves as a critical component of the creation, imparting its presence within space with new layers of meaning.

SURFACE TREATMENT AND PAINTERLY PROCESS

These three core concepts are reflected not only in the structure and form of the work but also in the artistic process, including surface treatment and colour schemes, ensuring that every element of the work is composed from spatial, dynamic, and constructive perspectives.
In other words, for Jeu., painting does not refer to the act of depicting a subject, but rather to its function as a component of construction.

An approach characterising Jeu.'s treatment of the surface is what we term 'Stepped Gradient,' a method that divides the surface into sections and applies subtle, gradual shifts in colour and tone.
Despite the discrete arrangement of colours, this technique creates a smoothly continuous gradient effect.
As a result, the work acquires a sense of spatial depth, rhythm and patterns, evoking a physical sensation of being drawn into the piece.

In contrast, with the unpainted sections left untouched, the inherent qualities of the material are preserved, allowing its natural colour and texture to remain visible, further highlighting the materiality of the work.
This approach accentuates the curvature of the structure, rendering the underlying dynamic forces more pronounced.
Furthermore, depending on the lighting and viewpoint, the material's translucency naturally guides the viewer's gaze toward the structure hidden beneath the surface.
By integrating these techniques, the contrast between the coloured and untouched areas not only introduces visual variation in both colour and texture across the work but also stimulates the viewer's tactile perception, evoking an instinctive desire to touch.

DISTANCE AND JEUER

Jeu.'s creations are not intended to offer immersion rooted in specific emotional expressions, subjective narratives, superficial visual satisfaction, or mere entertainment value.
Rather, Jeu. deliberately establishes a 'conceptual distance' between the piece and the viewer, encouraging an objective focus on the formative process and structural foundation of the work.
Stimulating the viewer's curiosity to explore the surface and reverse of the work on their own, Jeu. encourages them to begin their observation, deepen their thoughts based on their own context of experiences and memories, and actively uncover their own interpretations.
This is an invitation to the 'play of observation, thought, and interpretation,' where Jeu.'s works, while eliminating ambiguity, guide the viewer not to receive a one-way message but to engage with and actively construct their own spatial concepts.

Beyond mere storytelling or visual expression, Jeu. captures our creation as a conceptual and experiential interplay with space, embracing the concept of 'jeuer'—the French word for play, which also serves as the origin of our name—seeking to awaken a sense of curiosity and discovery through spatial exploration.

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