After scanning the Tokyo Metropolis Arts and Entertainment guide last week , I didn’t see much in the way of exhibitions which caught my attention. Then, I noticed that I had just missed an exhibition at the Bunkamura in Shibuya which featured a piece of work (The Wooden Mirror) by Daniel Rozen. I had noted Rozen at The Digital Revolution for his innovative, sensory piece of work titled Mirror Number 10. The Wooden Mirror follows similar themes to Mirror Number 10. See below:
Anyway, I decided that as I had not been to a photography exhibition for a while, it would be my aim. Finally, I came across an exhibition by the photographer and contemporary artist, Nobuyoshi Araki.
I’m familiar with Araki’s work which to some is considered extreme and disturbing. I suppose it depends on how you interpret his work. He’s collaborated with quite a few famous artists over the years. I recall a collaboration with the musician, Bjork back in the 90s. His exhibition I viewed is called ‘Kirishin’. There isn’t a direct translation for this word but the nearest is something like cutting photos with sentimentality. Basically, a play on words but as I later found out, the artist had been recently diagnosed with retinal artery occlusion that has sadly caused the loss of his right eye. This explained the title of his last exhibition, ‘Sagan No Koi’ (Love in the left eye) and connections to his current exhibition.
The 30 photographs printed from slide film and then cut and pasted together. Most of the images depict urban areas, daily life and humour. The awkwardly cut images suggest his state of mind from the loss of his eye. I wasn’t awestruck by this work but what I did get out of it was how the emotional narrative was clearly evident in Araki’s work and the methods he used to convey his state of mind.
jason murray MA 