I Want to Shout That I Love It: Seeing Things I Love Through Someone Else's Eyes
I don't even know how many times this is now. I went to the Intermediatheque museum inside KITTE.
I once complained that my child only ever wants to go to the same places,but I'm the one who should be asked, 'How many times have you been to IMT yourself!' The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
When I go to visit the beautiful specimens at IMT, I feel a sense of calm and a strange, uplifting excitement at the same time, so I find myself heading there whenever the thought strikes me.
It's my routine to zone out for a while next to the mummy.
The giant water lilies look like a mandala.
This time, too, I dropped by on a whim while I was out for other plans, but wait—there was a special exhibition being held.
Photographer Yoshihiro Tatsuki × The University of Tokyo
Yoshihiro Tatsuki is a photographer who has been at the forefront of his field for 60 years. This special exhibition aims to provide an opportunity to re-examine the museum's 'academic specimens' as 'art' that transcends mere research subjects by capturing them through the lens.
…I wrote that summary as if I knew what I was talking about, but I had absolutely no prior knowledge when I went to see it.
I didn't know what kind of photos he took or how famous he was, but very simply,
How do other people see the Intermediatheque that I love so much?
It sounds interesting to see IMT from a perspective different from my own!
I started looking at it with that lighthearted attitude.
First, from my own perspective, there are the mammal taxidermy specimens that make me want to take photos because they are 'so cute!'
The fluffy one on the top shelf is growling.
Even though they are realistic, those hollow eyes that say 'they aren't really alive after all'… they evoke a sense of attachment, or perhaps a desire to protect them, but from Mr. Tatsuki's perspective,
It's as if life has been breathed into the taxidermy.
(This is a work photographed by Mr. Tatsuki)
They are lively, and the dynamic beauty of them as living creatures has been revived! It's a side I couldn't see from my own perspective alone.
Also, there is the fur seal skeleton specimen displayed above the minke whale skeleton specimen.
From my perspective, I end up capturing it as if looking up from directly below, like in the transparent tunnel at an aquarium where penguins fly, but
in Mr. Tatsuki's work, the surrounding lighting is dimmed, and the fur seal is captured from the side. It looks like it's swimming underwater.
Around the white bones that emerge, I can see the muscles and skin. It's as if I can see the scene from when it was alive and swimming.
And then, there is the dry-lacquer Buddha restoration work from Akishino-dera Temple in the second-floor exhibition room.
I always secretly enjoyed watching a rainbow cross the work's introduction card, but
look a bit more rainbow-colored to the naked eye.
In Mr. Tachiki's photo, a rainbow had brilliantly descended onto the Buddha's body! Amazing.
Since I took this one,
there is no rainbow descent.
As expected, it's a side you can't see from your own perspective alone. How interesting!!
After fully enjoying the special exhibition photos, I head up to the third floor.
There are many other exhibits I want to see, but this is one of my absolute favorites.
A photo of this cow is also included in the exhibition catalog.
Mr. Tachiki took photos that make you feel the weight of history, but I wonder, is it generally perceived as something profound and valuable...
Is it off-base to call a relic cute...
As I was staring at it like that, a girl and a boy who seemed to be on a date came by,
"What is this! It's cute."
They were happily taking pictures of it.
Yes!!
A vote has been cast for the "cute" opinion!
I'm so happy to hear someone else has the same impression!
I feel warm and fuzzy knowing that it's a joy to learn not just the professional's perspective, but also the perspective of a fellow visitor.
And, while feeling all warm and fuzzy...
I wanted to tell the stranger watching from the side,
"There's an even cuter angle for this cow,"
and...
……I wanted to tell them, but
as expected, I couldn't just suddenly say
“You know, this one’s backside is so cute”
and so……
I quietly walked away.
And so, by learning someone else's perspective, I was able to enjoy the Intermediatheque even more than usual (and ended up buying the exhibition catalog…… I really need to work hard and earn some money……).
Looking around excitedly
Wow, I’ll be able to enjoy it from yet another perspective starting January 4th, 2025. The fun of the Intermediatheque is endless!!
I’ll probably end up going again after the New Year……