The swatting of futons being aired out on the balcony. The gentle pitter-patter of rain that falls onto ceramic tile roofs. The chiming crossing gates that holds traffic as trains pass by. If youve spent time in Japan these are simply, to borrow from David Foster Wallace, the banal platitudes of everyday life.
Theyre some of the most obvious realities that are equally some of the most difficult to see, unless we are reminded of them. Perfectly capturing some these moments, and thereby reminding us how real, beautiful and essential they are, is illustrator Yuuta Toyoi.
Working under the pseudonym 1041uuu, Toyoi creates animated 8-bit GIFs that bring to life some of those nostalgic moments in endless loops.
If Edward Hopper was alive today, and living in Japan, I imagine he would be creating art like this.