Lounge
May 8, 2015
Part 10: Nobuyoshi Araki x Boris Mikhailov Talk Show (Part 2)
10th Nobuyoshi Araki x Boris Mikhailov Talk Show
photo by Jamandfix
The conversation moves to the main dish, "Kinkaku Shaken," and then to the origins of Araki's use of color...
photo by Jamandfix
Thinking back, my red is the red of incendiary bombs.
Araki: Shall we talk about "Kinkaku Shaken" next? As you can see, all the photos are connected. I wanted to create a picture scroll once. So, I deliberately made it 53 pieces, inspired by the 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō. Lately, I've been feeling closer to death. That's why I'm drawn to primary colors. But looking at them again like this, I can see I'm particularly attracted to red.
photo by Jamandfix
This must be the red of incendiary bombs. When I was about five or six, we'd be told, "Air raid!" and we children would flee to the temple. They said bombs wouldn't be dropped on graves, and they really weren't.
And we'd watch the surroundings burn. Of course, it was a terrible thing, but the bright red sky was incredibly beautiful. That's the origin of my red.
In this work, I've painted life, color, onto monochrome, death. I tried to mix eros and thanatos. But looking at these three series of works together, "Love by Leica" is still the best, isn't it? (laughs) Just snapped with a Leica. Photography is best taken before and after sex.
photo by Jamandfix
Boris: Instead of sex?
Araki: No, no. Those were all women I had sex with (laughs).
Boris: That's great! (Audience bursts into laughter)
Araki: Leica is a difficult camera to use. But now, we're losing that kind of physical engagement. That's important. If you're not careful, people who start with digital cameras will only take weak photos. Weak photos mean becoming a weak person. Boris, your humanity and masculinity are wonderful. You possess something that modern Japanese people have lost. A spirit of Edo-era Japanese people. That was the most wonderful era for Japanese people.
Boris: I'm sorry I wasn't alive then.
Araki: All of Boris's photos are interesting, but I like that you're playing around yourself while shooting. They're playful photos.
photo by Jamandfix
Boris: I saw your recent photo collections, Araki-san, and I was delighted to find scratched photos among your early works. Because I used the same technique.
(While saying this, Boris takes out a former Soviet hat and presents it to Araki.)
This is a gift from all the Soviet photographers who love your work, Araki-san.
Araki: (Immediately putting it on) Oh! Thank you!!
The talk show concluded with great applause.
(The End)
Reflections on the Talk Show (Kitamura)
Hearing Araki-san talk about his transition from spider lilies to geckos, I finally feel I'm beginning to see the consistency in his work as a photographer. And the fact that I heard it directly from him was significant.
Regarding Boris-san, we will be holding an exhibition from January 19th as Rat Hole Gallery's first event of the year. I also felt that his work's consistency was not entirely clear until now, but after speaking with him during his visit to Japan, I could see the connections between his pieces. I plan to discuss this in more detail in future installments, so please look forward to it. (Nobuhiko Kitamura)
Win a Signed Copy of "LOVE by Leica"! (3 Winners)
photo by Jamandfix
Through the kind cooperation of Nobuhiko Kitamura, OPENERS readers have a chance to win one of three signed copies of "LOVE by Leica" by Nobuyoshi Araki. If you wish to enter, please go to the "Contact Us" section at the bottom of the OPENERS top page, and send your reply address along with "Photo Book Request" and any comments or suggestions for the site. The deadline is January 31st (Wednesday). Winners will be contacted at their registered email address via lottery. We encourage you to apply! (OPENERS Editorial Department)