The Spirit of Avant-Garde Photography: Transforming "Nothing Much"
by Takiguchi Shuzo
Photographs: Takiguchi Shuzo, Abe Nobuya, Otsuji Kiyoji, Gocho Shigeo
Publisher: Akaaka Art Publishing
240 pages
Year: 2023
ISBN: 9784865411690
Price: 29.90 €
Comments: 180 × 255 × 20 mm, Softcover
During the 1930s, a large number of works influenced by Surrealism were shown in Japan under the heading of "avant-garde photography." Among these were works by Takiguchi Shuzo (1903-1979) who, based on his view of the photographic medium as "a deep fold in everyday reality," explored the potential of the surreal. In 1938, Takiguchi provided theoretical support for the Zen'ei Shashin Kyokai (Avant-garde Photography Association), which he formed with a group of photographers and painters.
One of the association's founding members, Abe Nobuya (1913-1971) created works in response to statements that Takiguchi had published in Photo Times magazine. Abe's works displayed a rapid shift away from the poetic sensibilities of Surrealism to photographs that documented a "new unembellished harmony" in "landscapes that have been abandoned as a useless part of the city and country." After the Second World War, Abe went on to inspire young photographers with his criticism, while exploring his own avant-garde expressions in photographs taken at various travel destinations.
Otsuji Kiyoji (1923-2001) had been involved with Photo Times during the late 1930s at the height of the Zen'ei Shashin Kyokai's activities. In about 1940, under the direct influence of Takiguchi and Abe, he began pursuing a career as a photographer. In 1958, while continuing to follow this path, Otsuji also began teaching at the Kuwasawa Design School. There, he encountered the new experimental approaches of his young students. As an educator, Otsuji broadened his perspective to include everything from his predecessors to photographers of the same era, while at the same time using his experiences as a first-hand observer of art journalism as a foundation for his work. His Experimental Workshop of Photography series signaled a dramatic change in direction with its emphasis on "Photo of Nothing Much" that focused on the commonplace.
Gocho Shigeo (1946-1983) was one of the students that Otsuji discovered at the Kuwasawa Design School. In 1967, Gocho began to major in photography on Otsuji's strong recommendation, and gradually set his sights on a career as a photographer. Otsuji also wrote forewords for two photo books that Gocho published after graduating from the school, and he keep a close eye on his former student's activities. As Gocho himself put it, he strove to make works that were "just barely photographs, something that might be overlooked," bringing a unique viewpoint to ordinary landscapes that were familiar to anyone.
This year, 2023, marks the 120th anniversary of Takiguchi Shuzo's birth, the 110th anniversary of Abe Nobuya's birth, the 100th anniversary of Otsuji Kiyoji's birth, and the 40th anniversary of Gocho Shigeo's death. While tracing the relationship between these four artists and their work, in this exhibition we hope to convey the actuality of the avant-garde photographic spirit championed by Takiguchi.
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The Spirit of Avant-Garde Photography: Transforming "Nothing Much"
by Takiguchi Shuzo
Photographs: Takiguchi Shuzo, Abe Nobuya, Otsuji Kiyoji, Gocho Shigeo
Publisher: Akaaka Art Publishing
240 pages
Year: 2023
ISBN: 9784865411690
Price: 29.90 €
Comments: 180 × 255 × 20 mm, Softcover
During the 1930s, a large number of works influenced by Surrealism were shown in Japan under the heading of "avant-garde photography." Among these were works by Takiguchi Shuzo (1903-1979) who, based on his view of the photographic medium as "a deep fold in everyday reality," explored the potential of the surreal. In 1938, Takiguchi provided theoretical support for the Zen'ei Shashin Kyokai (Avant-garde Photography Association), which he formed with a group of photographers and painters.
One of the association's founding members, Abe Nobuya (1913-1971) created works in response to statements that Takiguchi had published in Photo Times magazine. Abe's works displayed a rapid shift away from the poetic sensibilities of Surrealism to photographs that documented a "new unembellished harmony" in "landscapes that have been abandoned as a useless part of the city and country." After the Second World War, Abe went on to inspire young photographers with his criticism, while exploring his own avant-garde expressions in photographs taken at various travel destinations.
Otsuji Kiyoji (1923-2001) had been involved with Photo Times during the late 1930s at the height of the Zen'ei Shashin Kyokai's activities. In about 1940, under the direct influence of Takiguchi and Abe, he began pursuing a career as a photographer. In 1958, while continuing to follow this path, Otsuji also began teaching at the Kuwasawa Design School. There, he encountered the new experimental approaches of his young students. As an educator, Otsuji broadened his perspective to include everything from his predecessors to photographers of the same era, while at the same time using his experiences as a first-hand observer of art journalism as a foundation for his work. His Experimental Workshop of Photography series signaled a dramatic change in direction with its emphasis on "Photo of Nothing Much" that focused on the commonplace.
Gocho Shigeo (1946-1983) was one of the students that Otsuji discovered at the Kuwasawa Design School. In 1967, Gocho began to major in photography on Otsuji's strong recommendation, and gradually set his sights on a career as a photographer. Otsuji also wrote forewords for two photo books that Gocho published after graduating from the school, and he keep a close eye on his former student's activities. As Gocho himself put it, he strove to make works that were "just barely photographs, something that might be overlooked," bringing a unique viewpoint to ordinary landscapes that were familiar to anyone.
This year, 2023, marks the 120th anniversary of Takiguchi Shuzo's birth, the 110th anniversary of Abe Nobuya's birth, the 100th anniversary of Otsuji Kiyoji's birth, and the 40th anniversary of Gocho Shigeo's death. While tracing the relationship between these four artists and their work, in this exhibition we hope to convey the actuality of the avant-garde photographic spirit championed by Takiguchi.
more books tagged »japanese« | >> see all
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SAKURA
by Yoshinori Mizutani
Euro 95 -
McHotel Tokyo
by Olivier van Breugel & Simone Mudde
Euro 18 -
Primal
by Osamu Yokonami
Euro 95 -
POET ISLAND (signed - last copy)
by Atsushi Fujiwara
Euro 45 -
Thirty Six Views of Mount Fuji
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So it goes, so it goes
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The Spirit of Avant-Garde Photography: Transforming "Nothing Much"
by Takiguchi Shuzo
Photographs: Takiguchi Shuzo, Abe Nobuya, Otsuji Kiyoji, Gocho Shigeo
Publisher: Akaaka Art Publishing
240 pages
Year: 2023
ISBN: 9784865411690
Price: 29.90 €
Comments: 180 × 255 × 20 mm, Softcover
During the 1930s, a large number of works influenced by Surrealism were shown in Japan under the heading of "avant-garde photography." Among these were works by Takiguchi Shuzo (1903-1979) who, based on his view of the photographic medium as "a deep fold in everyday reality," explored the potential of the surreal. In 1938, Takiguchi provided theoretical support for the Zen'ei Shashin Kyokai (Avant-garde Photography Association), which he formed with a group of photographers and painters.
One of the association's founding members, Abe Nobuya (1913-1971) created works in response to statements that Takiguchi had published in Photo Times magazine. Abe's works displayed a rapid shift away from the poetic sensibilities of Surrealism to photographs that documented a "new unembellished harmony" in "landscapes that have been abandoned as a useless part of the city and country." After the Second World War, Abe went on to inspire young photographers with his criticism, while exploring his own avant-garde expressions in photographs taken at various travel destinations.
Otsuji Kiyoji (1923-2001) had been involved with Photo Times during the late 1930s at the height of the Zen'ei Shashin Kyokai's activities. In about 1940, under the direct influence of Takiguchi and Abe, he began pursuing a career as a photographer. In 1958, while continuing to follow this path, Otsuji also began teaching at the Kuwasawa Design School. There, he encountered the new experimental approaches of his young students. As an educator, Otsuji broadened his perspective to include everything from his predecessors to photographers of the same era, while at the same time using his experiences as a first-hand observer of art journalism as a foundation for his work. His Experimental Workshop of Photography series signaled a dramatic change in direction with its emphasis on "Photo of Nothing Much" that focused on the commonplace.
Gocho Shigeo (1946-1983) was one of the students that Otsuji discovered at the Kuwasawa Design School. In 1967, Gocho began to major in photography on Otsuji's strong recommendation, and gradually set his sights on a career as a photographer. Otsuji also wrote forewords for two photo books that Gocho published after graduating from the school, and he keep a close eye on his former student's activities. As Gocho himself put it, he strove to make works that were "just barely photographs, something that might be overlooked," bringing a unique viewpoint to ordinary landscapes that were familiar to anyone.
This year, 2023, marks the 120th anniversary of Takiguchi Shuzo's birth, the 110th anniversary of Abe Nobuya's birth, the 100th anniversary of Otsuji Kiyoji's birth, and the 40th anniversary of Gocho Shigeo's death. While tracing the relationship between these four artists and their work, in this exhibition we hope to convey the actuality of the avant-garde photographic spirit championed by Takiguchi.
more books tagged »japanese« | >> see all
-
SAKURA
by Yoshinori Mizutani
Euro 95 -
McHotel Tokyo
by Olivier van Breugel & Simone Mudde
Euro 18 -
Primal
by Osamu Yokonami
Euro 95 -
POET ISLAND (signed - last copy)
by Atsushi Fujiwara
Euro 45 -
Thirty Six Views of Mount Fuji
by Takashi Homma
Euro 44 -
So it goes, so it goes
by Miho Kajioka
sold out
more books tagged »Japan« | >> see all
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The Cliff (book + signed print)
by Yukihito Kono
Euro 77 -
Nagi (signed)
by Yoshikatsu Fujii
sold out -
KURAYAMI - In Darkness, The Light (book only)
by Yamamoto Masao
Euro 55 -
Intimacy of Paradise
by Tomoko Kawai
Euro 34 -
SO IT GOES, SO IT GOES, SO IT GOES (signed)
by Miho Kajioka
sold out -
After The Snowstorm
by Yoshinori Saito
sold out
more books tagged »landscape« | >> see all
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Micheldorf Micheldorf Micheldorf Micheldorf
by Elias Holzknecht
Euro 38.5 -
Eden
by Robert Adams
Euro 57 -
The Long Way Home of Ivan Putnik, Truck Driver (last copies)
by Vaste Programme
Euro 19.9 -
Pale Blue (last copy)
by Albarran Cabrera
sold out -
Roots & Bonds (signed + extra booklet)
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LUNGO I MARGINI DEL MONDO (signed + vinyl)
by various photographers
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Euro 50 -
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by Trent Parke
Euro 450 -
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by Alec Soth
Euro 66 -
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sold out -
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by Josef Dapra
Euro 28
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by Andreas H. Bitesnich
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Random selection from the Virtual bookshelf josefchladek.com