【 SIX KEYWORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE HYDE 】PART 1

BY JOE YOKOMIZO | 2016/02/09
http://rollingstonejapan.com/articles/detail/25370

WINGS
Translation by: Yumi

If I could do anything I wished for, I would like to fly high in the sky. Wings are like a longing for me. Sometimes I use the word "wings" for song titles as it can be used easily for motif designs. 

The reason why I got the wings tattoo on my back is not only because it is beautiful, but also because it is my dream. I looked for my wing tattoo design for around five years. There were many designs for the inside part of the wings, but it was difficult to find a design for the outer part. At that time, the internet was not too convenient yet, so I asked fan club members to send me the ‘outer part of the wing design’. I got so many designs; however, I could not find what I would like to have. If I had to choose the best part of the inside wing design, it is “The Winged Victory of Samothrace” in The Louvre. However, that sculpture does not have the outer shape. So I decided to create one on my own. Then, I bought a miniature of the Nike of Samothrace, made a moulding and drew the shape by myself. I drew it imagining what people would design the outside part of the wings in that era. Then, I used this design for the tattoo on my back. One part of my wings is missing, same as Nike of Samothrace. Nike is the goddess of victory, so I thought of using her image for good luck. 

I actually saw the real statue recently. I play with L’Arc-en-Ciel but I’ve never visited France until recently (laugh). Rather, I did not want to visit as a tourist and if I did not have proper reason like a concert because our band’s name is too much related to France. So, in 2006, I visited France for the first time, and I went to meet her (Nike statue). She was placed on top of the stairs. It was so exciting. I had a strange feeling the first time I met her, it also felt like it was not the first time. It was like finally I met her directly. I personally feel we have some invisible connection.

〈SOURCE〉 
「White Feathers」L’Arc〜en〜Ciel (94)
「Angel’s tale」HYDE (2001)
「Wings Flap」L’Arc〜en〜Ciel (2015) etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winged_Victory_of_Samothrace
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PART 2 "666" coming soon...

​Photo © Takayuki Okada [VAMPS 13]