A Word from Daido Moriyama: "Just Try It"

──What was the inspiration behind shooting these particular photographs?

Usually, after photographing a city once, I feel like I'm done. But after a while, I feel there's still more to capture, more to shoot. That's how I started shooting again this time. In between photographing the city from last time and this time, I also shot in Kotobuki-cho, Yokohama. I don't really feel like I'm doing many different things; it's just different methodologies, but fundamentally, I'm doing the same thing.

──By the way, you also work as the Art Director for Hysteric Glamour. Did you start taking photographs seriously after Hysteric's publishing activities began?

I've liked photography since I was young, and I was taking photos sporadically from around age 20. But I truly began to take it seriously after meeting Daido Moriyama.

──So something changed then?

It wasn't anything so dramatic, but Moriyama-san said, "Just try it" (laughs). When we were discussing a Hysteric photo book, I mentioned that I occasionally took photos myself, and he told me, "Try doing it seriously." I didn't learn any specific techniques from him, but it was a significant catalyst.

Photography is Ultimately Not About "It Just Happened"

──Do you decide on a theme before you shoot?

While these kinds of snapshot photos might seem unplanned, I think abstractly. I think abstractly and concretely. However, it's not an act of deciding on something first and then arriving at it. For example, unlike conceptual art, I'm not gathering materials with the intention of doing "such and such." With snapshots, the subject doesn't cooperate, so that approach isn't possible. But ultimately, it's not a case of "it just happened." It's still about creating something by trying to make it. While occasionally something interesting might emerge by chance, that's not sustainable for a lifetime.

──For instance, in this exhibition's case, what kind of abstract theme did you have?

I didn't decide on anything specific to photograph beforehand, but for this exhibition, I approached it with an abstract theme like "6x6." The concept of 6x6 encompasses various elements beyond just the size. Also, if I decide on too much more than that, it loses its interest. In practice, various issues arise, but when that happens, it's easier to deal with them if I have only a few major decisions in place.



Osamu Wataya "Rumor/Pond" Photo Exhibition
Dates: On display until Sunday, December 9th
Hours: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
Venue: RAT HOLE GALLERY
5-5-3 Minami-Aoyama
HYSTERIC GLAMOUR Aoyama Store B1F
Tel. 03-6419-3581

Catalog also published
To coincide with the exhibition, RAT HOLE will release the catalog "Rumor" and
"Agenda 2001," a reorganized version of the 2002 publication "Agenda," each in a limited edition of 500 copies.