Lines of Illusion: Humor and Intelligence in the 1970s by Makoto Wada (1970s)

Lines of Illusion: Humor and Intelligence in the 1970s by Makoto Wada (1970s)

In the 1970s, Japan had passed the peak of its rapid economic growth, and the oil shock and pollution problems were beginning to fade. With the expansion of consumer society, mass media such as television and magazines began to cover daily life, and there was a sense of "information overload" in the air. In such an era, Makoto Wada's "Phantom Light" showed a quiet resistance to the manic society with a few lines and rich margins, as if he were blowing a steady breeze through it.

Wada's illustrations are diverse, ranging from movie posters and magazine covers to book bindings, but in his "Phantom Lights" series, he skillfully depicted the funny and satirical aspects of everyday life, accompanied by his knowledge of movies, music, and literature. The small number of lines, restrained use of color, and use of margins are all part of the artist's technique of depicting the humor and satire of everyday life. These elements can be seen as the antithesis of the lively and direct expression of information. Wada was more than just an illustrator; he was also a light-hearted critic of the visual arts.

At the time, "manga" and "illustration" were still strongly regarded as "light entertainment," but Makoto Wada went beyond this framework and achieved a "manga-like yet literary" appearance. For example, the love of movies behind the creation of movie posters, the musical reverberations felt in jazz record jackets, and the dialogue between words and pictures latent in book illustrations and bindings. These experiences are also present in "Phantom Lights," a series of works that combine intellectual humor and an observant eye.

Furthermore, as shown in exhibitions such as the "Makoto Wada Exhibition" held after 2021, his vast body of work demonstrates his pursuit of "doing what he loves as much as he loves" through his multifaceted work as an illustrator, bookbinder, film director, and graphic designer. (bluesheep.jp)

Phantom Lights" is like a scribble of the times against the backdrop of the clamor, and also a mirror that lightly strikes at the contradictions behind the everyday. It is both funny and meaningful. It is not a mere picture, but an art form that speaks through the gaze itself. The gaze of Makoto Wada certainly marked his own position in the "playground" of the 1970s, when magazine culture was booming.