Lounge
April 17, 2015
Part 16: An Interview with Koichi古屋 (1)
Seiichi Furuya Exhibition 'im fluss 流れゆく' Interview (Part 1)
Seiichi Furuya, a Japanese photographer who has been based in Europe for over 30 years.
Currently, Rat Hole Gallery is hosting Furuya’s exhibition, 'im fluss 流れゆく,' which runs until August 3rd.
On July 7th, a talk show was held with Furuya himself, who visited Japan for the opening.
On that day, just before the talk show, the Openers editorial team was granted a special moment for an exclusive interview.
Over the next three installments, we will share Furuya’s own words from that conversation.
Photo by Jamandfixedit by TAKEUCHI Toranosuke(City Writes)
An Encounter at Boris’s Farewell Party
—First, could you tell us how this exhibition at Rat Hole Gallery came about?
Seiichi Furuya—I was in Japan in January this year for an exhibition at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and by chance, I heard there was a farewell party for Boris Mikhailov, who was exhibiting at Rat Hole Gallery at the time.
I knew Boris well, so I attended the party. Mr. Kitamura then offered me the opportunity, and I gladly accepted.
—The exhibition includes many works similar to those presented at the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Is the theme the same?
The overarching theme is undoubtedly an extension of 'Aus den Fugen,' which I presented at Hakone.
However, the approach to the exhibition is different.
At Hakone, the space itself demanded a great deal from the artist, so
I placed importance on how to utilize that particular environment.
In contrast, Rat Hole Gallery has a more neutral space, allowing for a greater emphasis on theme and narrative.
Furthermore, it reflects a shift in my own perspective.
An Exhibition Marking a Turning Point
—So, does this mean the current exhibition presents a different Seiichi Furuya than before?
'Seiichi Furuya: Dislocated Time'
Yes, that's right.
At Hakone, my late wife, Christine, was the central focus.
However, for this exhibition, I’ve significantly reduced the number of her portraits.
Of course, Christine remains at the source of my creative flow. The relationship we shared continues to run through me.
But until now, including the Hakone exhibition, I had presented her as confined within me.
I had kept her contained within my inner world.
This time, however, for the first time, I have released her to the world.
This is a groundbreaking moment for me personally.
—What prompted this change in you, Mr. Furuya?
I believe it’s time. The photographs themselves, capturing her, haven't changed.
But I have changed over these 22 years.
Interestingly, as I’ve changed, my reactions to everyday life have shifted, and the photographs that resonate with me have also changed.
But when you think about it, isn't that the very essence of photography's appeal?
—Indeed, your photographs often capture everyday moments.
For me, photography is an accumulation of moments from daily life that I felt compelled to see and capture.
However, I don't immediately analyze the reason why I felt the need to capture them.
I take a picture because I feel something, but often, immediately after taking it, it holds no particular meaning.
So, I leave the exposed film undeveloped. It's only after a certain amount of time that the images begin to speak to me.
That's why my photographs are always of older moments.
But they are never truly old. For me, as I develop them, they hold meaning in the present moment.
Seiichi Furuya Exhibition 'im fluss 流れゆく'
Dates: On view until August 3rd (Fri)
Hours: 12:00–20:00 (Closed Mondays)
Venue: RAT HOLE GALLERY
B1F, HYSTERIC GLAMOUR Aoyama Bldg., 5-5-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku
TEL: 03-6419-3581
