The Tokyo, Japan-based artist shares the inspiration behind upcycling used espresso filters into canvases for putting paintings.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photographs courtesy of Zenya Toyama
I first got here throughout Zenya Toyama’s paintings in an occasion area in Tokyo, Japan. At first look, it seemed like a scientific illustration—delicate butterflies pinned to paper. However the “canvases” turned out for use espresso filters, and every butterfly got here from a coffee-growing area. The stains, the colours, the origins … all of them informed a deeper story. I sat down with Zenya to speak concerning the connection between butterflies and occasional, visible taste, and the way artwork can reshape how we expertise what’s in our cup.
Vasileia Fanarioti: How did the concept of portray butterflies on espresso filters first come to you?
Zenya: In the future, whereas making pourover espresso at house, I seemed on the used filter and was struck by the intuitive great thing about the stained espresso tones. Over time, the interplay of supplies created refined patterns that jogged my memory of wabi-sabi—the Japanese aesthetic of impermanence and imperfection. That second sparked the concept of utilizing disposable espresso filters as a canvas for expression.
Why butterflies—and why these from coffee-producing areas? What do butterflies symbolize for you within the context of espresso?
I needed to convey extra than simply the flavour of espresso. I needed to precise the landscapes and communities behind it. Butterflies, as endemic species with singular magnificence, have been an ideal match. They’re often known as indicator species—very delicate to environmental modifications, identical to espresso. By portray butterflies from coffee-producing areas, I purpose to evoke the invisible nature and spirit of the land that lives inside every cup.
You’ve talked about that the structural colour in butterfly wings reminds you of the shifting flavors in espresso. Are you able to elaborate on that connection?
Structural colour is produced by microscopic surfaces that replicate gentle in a different way relying on the angle—creating a way of motion and depth. That jogs my memory of how espresso taste evolves because it cools. What would possibly begin as a deep chocolate observe may turn into citrusy or spicy. Similar to a butterfly wing, espresso reveals its layers with time. That connection—between colour and style—is central to the venture.
Additionally, analysis like “Cup color influences customers’ expectations and expertise on tasting specialty espresso” helped me discover how visible notion shapes taste. That was a giant inspiration, too.
The reference to triangular specimen envelopes is an exquisite element. What that means do you propose by changing them with espresso filters?
Conventional triangular envelopes used to protect butterflies symbolize distance, journey, and the unknown. In my work, espresso filters tackle that position. Like butterflies, espresso travels—throughout borders, cultures, and palms. By portray butterflies on filters, I attempt to construct a sensory bridge between “a land the place somebody as soon as was” and “the second right here and now.” It’s a solution to ask viewers to rethink consumption, nature, and their place within the cycle.
You’ve created 161 butterflies thus far—how have been the species chosen? Does the quantity have a particular that means?
There’s no symbolism behind the quantity—161 simply represents the variety of bodily prints I’ve been capable of full thus far. It’s a technical course of: Capturing the nuanced colours of butterfly wings requires high quality changes and deep dialogue with print applied sciences. So 161 is extra like a snapshot of a journey in progress. My objective is 300 colour variations, every matched to a sensory espresso expertise. Proper now I’m targeted on Ethiopian species, however I’ll broaden into Central and South America, and Southeast Asia subsequent. You may see the visible and barista matching course of on my portfolio web site.
You collaborated with baristas to match butterfly colours with espresso flavors. How did that course of unfold? Any surprises?
It began with a easy query: “If this butterfly have been a taste, what wouldn’t it style like?“ I anticipated completely completely different solutions. However surprisingly, many baristas had related responses—perhaps as a result of we share a typical taste vocabulary from cupping. Nonetheless, everybody added private nuance. Some baristas linked flavors to journey recollections; others recalled prospects or café moments. That mix of shared language and particular person story grew to become some of the touching elements of the venture.
I hear you’re additionally gathering environmental sounds from espresso farms. What sort of expertise are you hoping to ship in future exhibitions?
I need to create a multisensory expertise that fuses butterfly × style × sound × area. Think about: You’re standing in entrance of an Ethiopian butterfly illustration, listening to the forest at daybreak, and sipping a cup that mirrors the colours. I need to transfer individuals from passive tasting to immersive feeling. If the work leaves behind a reminiscence—one which’s greater than style—I’ll really feel I succeeded.
That is clearly a deeply collaborative venture. How do you see co-creation with individuals exterior the artwork world?
Conventional portray typically highlights magnificence as a ultimate product. However this venture is extra about expertise—highlighting traces of time, place, and materials. That may’t occur alone. So, I work with individuals from completely different fields—baristas, producers, technologists, even musicians. It displays the journey of espresso itself, from grower to cup. To me, co-creation is a quiet type of world peace. A gesture of mutual respect.
Lastly—what’s subsequent? Are there new senses or instructions you’d prefer to discover?
I’d like to deliver the venture into real-life areas—cafés and galleries the place individuals can encounter the paintings and occasional collectively, organically. I additionally need to go to espresso origins and gather sensations firsthand—landscapes, butterflies, voices, air. Finally, I hope the venture turns into a spot for individuals who love espresso to style, study, converse, and really feel collectively—the place artwork connects people not simply to one another, however to the land itself.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Journal and a contract copywriter and editor with a main deal with the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to assist educate individuals about baristas and their work.
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