Aging (1986-)

Since 1986, I have been taking one photograph of my face every day (though I sometimes forget).

November 12, 1992, marks about six years and four months since I began taking one photo a day. Noticing my prominent gray hair in my forties was the catalyst for the "Aging" project.

"Aging" is a series of daily self-portraits that I began in July 1986 and continue to this day. It is an attempt to visualize the slow change of aging—which the human eye cannot perceive—through an accumulation of photographs that capture a single moment.

About five years ago, I asked a researcher to simulate what my face would look like at age 100 (using AI?). At the time, I thought it was impossible, but lately, I feel it might not be so far off.

A photo book compiling the "Aging" series from 1986 to 2021 has been published by Fugensha. The design is by Atsuki Kikuchi.

I am exhibiting videos and a photo book from "Aging" in the group exhibition "Documents," which is being held at the Fotografisk Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, until November 9.