[Solo Exhibition Announcement] 2023.2.28–3.11 @ Kissa Natural (Kobuchi, Yokohama Line)

It has been a while.
A lot has been happening, and I have been relatively busy—so much so that I can barely keep up with my photo developing.
Well, as one of the reasons for my busyness, and as stated in the title, I will be holding a solo exhibition.

“Vivere”

2/28–3/11 @ Kissa Natural (5-minute walk from JR Yokohama Line Kobuchi Station)

※Closed on the 5th (Sun) and 6th (Mon)
Open from 11:00 to 21:00 (until 17:00 on the final day)
Admission is free. Since it is a restaurant, please place an order.
It gets crowded during lunch, so I recommend coming after 14:00.

The exhibition will mainly feature works shot with the model Misaki Nara.

*****

It is always the case when I shoot with Nara-san, but when I make a request for a shoot, I base it on something like an abstract philosophical dialogue.
For example, I start by sending a request like, “The theme is vividness of color and vitality (like vivid and vital), and I want to capture an image that feels like a celebration of life. I would like an outfit that is a complementary color to the background.”

Then, Nara-san will reply with something like, “If we do the hair and makeup like this and the outfit like that, it might create movement in the frame and produce an image of fluid life. (roughly summarized).”
After going through such exchanges many times, a “photographic work” is created—one that I am not forced to take, nor one that I control entirely.
This feeling is just like when I used to sing in the choir club. There is a song, an interpretation, parts other than my own, and other members. I stake my theme and spirit in my heart, yet keep a broad perspective, and in that moment, I sort of surrender myself.
It is a pleasant form of creation for me.

By the way, there are many theories about portraiture floating around, such as “If it is a portrait, you must capture the subject as they are.”
I am not good at such definitions, categorizations, and labeling, but having continued to shoot with Misaki Nara for about two years, I have arrived at one thought of my own.

That is that mutual non-verbal dialogue with the subject is fun for me, and my own way of enjoying portrait photography is:
Asking, “I often think about things like this, what about you?”
And receiving the answer, “Regarding that, this is how I feel and think about it.”
That is the kind of thing it is.
This thought might change again. But being able to shoot like this now, and being able to truly feel my own photos as “works” for the first time is a very significant milestone.

In this way, the subject, Misaki Nara, has faced me with her body and soul in a very dedicated manner. (Of course, I have not done any shoots in physically unreasonable locations.)
Also, beyond the mental aspect, I have received much guidance and great stimulation from Nara-san, familiar instructors, and fellow photographers.
I would like to express my gratitude for being able to decide on holding this solo exhibition.
I will continue to do my best to put on a good exhibition.

I plan to pack many of my thoughts into this exhibition, “Vivere”.
I have faced the concepts of vivere (to live) and viv-, which is the root of the word vivid, as well as the vibrancy of life, through my camera, even while feeling heartache at times.

I would be happy if you could take a look.
Thank you very much.