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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Random selection from the Virtual bookshelf josefchladek.com
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 »Japan« | >> see all
-
KURAYAMI - In Darkness, The Light (book only)
by Yamamoto Masao
Euro 55 -
Absentee
by Sayuri Ichida
Euro 94 -
Intimacy of Paradise
by Tomoko Kawai
Euro 34 -
Diary 2019 (signed)
by Ellen Korth
Euro 2950 -
Sasuke
by Masahisa Fukase
sold out -
And, do you still hear the peacocks? (last copies)
by Miho Kajioka
Euro 250
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101 MOVIES A survey of American drive-in theatres / 1976 (signed)
by Herman van den Boom
Euro 30.50 -
Valleys (signed)
by Harrison Miller
Euro 105 -
Jorinde (signed)
by Ellen Korth
Euro 125 -
Under the Apple Tree (signed)
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by Delaney Allen
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by Morganna Magee
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by Robert Adams
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by Yoshinori Mizutani
Euro 95 -
After Children (signed)
by Osamu Yokonami
sold out -
Noboru Ueki & Yūshi Kobayashi of the K.P.S. (Kyoto Photography...
by various photographers
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by Takashi Homma
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Kochan (signed)
by Alessandra Calò
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Correspondence (book + print)
by Hajime Kimura
Euro 300
Random selection from the Virtual bookshelf josefchladek.com
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 »Japan« | >> see all
-
KURAYAMI - In Darkness, The Light (book only)
by Yamamoto Masao
Euro 55 -
Absentee
by Sayuri Ichida
Euro 94 -
Intimacy of Paradise
by Tomoko Kawai
Euro 34 -
Diary 2019 (signed)
by Ellen Korth
Euro 2950 -
Sasuke
by Masahisa Fukase
sold out -
And, do you still hear the peacocks? (last copies)
by Miho Kajioka
Euro 250
more books tagged »black and white« | >> see all
-
101 MOVIES A survey of American drive-in theatres / 1976 (signed)
by Herman van den Boom
Euro 30.50 -
Valleys (signed)
by Harrison Miller
Euro 105 -
Jorinde (signed)
by Ellen Korth
Euro 125 -
Under the Apple Tree (signed)
by Regina Anzenberger
Euro 48 -
Baldwin Lee
by Baldwin Lee
Euro 88 -
Zakir Hussain Maquette
by Dayanita Singh
Euro 46
more books tagged »documentary« | >> see all
-
Kim Jong Il Looking at Things
by Joao Rocha
Euro 65 -
Monument (last copy - second printing)
by Trent Parke
Euro 250 -
Epitome
by Vic Bakin
Euro 57 -
Congo (Belge)
by Carl De Keyzer
Euro 95 -
east - west (special offer! - 2 books)
by Regina Maria Anzenberger
Euro 98 -
Beaufort West
by Mikhael Subotzky
sold out
more books tagged »landscape« | >> see all
-
Strange Nature (book + signed print)
by Delaney Allen
sold out -
Eden
by Robert Adams
Euro 57 -
landscapes:remixed
by Georg Küttinger
Euro 25 -
Beware of People who Dislike Cats (signed - last copy)
by Morganna Magee
Euro 95 -
Summer Nights, Walking
by Robert Adams
Euro 57 -
The River is Moving / The Blackbird Must Be Flying (last copy)
by Gary Green
Euro 44
more books tagged »japanese« | >> see all
-
SAKURA
by Yoshinori Mizutani
Euro 95 -
After Children (signed)
by Osamu Yokonami
sold out -
Noboru Ueki & Yūshi Kobayashi of the K.P.S. (Kyoto Photography...
by various photographers
Euro 25 -
Thirty Six Views of Mount Fuji
by Takashi Homma
Euro 44 -
Kochan (signed)
by Alessandra Calò
Euro 59 -
Correspondence (book + print)
by Hajime Kimura
Euro 300
Random selection from the Virtual bookshelf josefchladek.com