There's a "revealing and surprising" element in zippers, says artist Jun Kitagawa, seen here with his painting at Tokyo's Roppongi Tunnel.
Madison Park/CNN
For display purposes only —
Ever wanted to zip open your house and see what's under the floor? Kitagawa installed zippers in a Tokyo apartment set for demolition. The zipper is made of wood and doesn't actually close the floors.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
What lies beneath —
Kitagawa built this temporary 3D installation in a pond at Tokyo's Chinzansou Hotel. The opening of the zipper holds a mirror reflecting back at the sky. The installation is no longer on display.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
Classic art, classic tees —
Unable to sell his racy T-shirts, Kitagawa got his start in public art 17 years ago when he dressed naked sculptures in white tees.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
Art or vandalism? —
Some don't see Kitagawa's work as art. His pieces have been described as "obscene" by one Japanese newspaper and also criticized as acts of vandalism.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
Balloon bottoms —
Kitagawa says he fashioned this display out of balloons and T-shirts because it makes people laugh.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
Extreme combinations —
"I want to make a work that takes two extreme elements -- the highest and lowest," says Kitagawa.
Courtesy Kitagawa Jun
Art born from surplus —
Stuck with hundreds of T-shirts following a failed business venture, Kitagawa found a creative use for them with this installation in Japan's Kanegawa Prefecture.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
Beauty in unlikely spaces —
Enjoying the shade under a ceiling painted by Kitagawa. The artist is often commissioned to provide installations for cities, festivals and cultural events.
Courtesy Kitagawa Jun
Floating flowers —
Some of Kitagawa's work for shopping malls and plazas has commercial appeal, such as this simple flower balloon art.