I love you, so I have to make you conscious of the things you didn’t see or haven’t experienced yet. G ♡ B

“The role of the artist is exactly the same as the role of the lover. If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see.” James Baldwin

At my age and with my experience of everyday life in Japan, I would like to appropriate James Baldwin’s beautiful words for myself.
Life as a foreign artist in Japan (ザ・外人美術家) isn’t easy. Nevertheless, I consider myself fortunate because, as a trendsetter, I have been able to influence the Japanese art world / art history and can continue to do so.
My personality radiates warmth, which certainly stems from my Italian roots. My nature also radiates love and positive, anti-toxic understanding.

Deutsche Grammophon – Made in Japan.
During my childhood, I saw cute 4-year-old Anne-Sophie Mutter playing the violin. Her brother was my classmate. After her concert performance, I feared she would break her leg when she jumped off the stage with childlike enthusiasm.

Seriousness in a new relationship begins with trust.
Both partners have built up this trust (in society) over many years, working hard to earn it.
You have become credible.
Your integrity is rewarded with complete emotional devotion. Love develops in this atmosphere of familiarity.
The wonderful feeling of having butterflies in your stomach isn’t something you can buy with money. You either have them, those “butterflies in your stomach,” or you don’t.
You want to let yourself fall into your partner’s arms. Because you trust your new love.

Being in love and having butterflies in your stomach means getting “happiness hormones”.
In other words, only a partner can give you this kind of well-being and positive emotions. Falling in love affects our mood, motivation, trust and social bonding, and is important for emotional balance and mental health. Among the happiness hormones, oxytocin stands out in particular. It is also known as the ‘cuddle hormone’ and is released through physical contact (physical touch) such as hugging, cuddling, spending time with love ones, breastfeeding or sex. It helps reduce stress, deepen connections and positive social interactions.
Unfortunately, the Japanese, in abstract terms, lack the aspect of ‘physical contact / touch’. Neither do they know how to kiss. Verbal expressions of love are vague.

As a European, you can imagine how I had to change my character. Why? Because you have to interact socially in the right, appropriate way to be successful as an artist in Tokyo.

Yes, romantic love exists.

Tokyo, September 2025
Mario A