If There's a Theme, It's My Own Life

—First, when were the works presented in this exhibition taken?

D'AgataThese are works from all periods since 1990, meaning since I started taking photographs at age 30. The newest works include those taken this year.

—What was the theme for selecting the works for this exhibition?

D'AgataBasically, my photo exhibitions never have a theme. If there's one thing, it's my own life. However, for the presentation this time, I considered displaying large-format photographic works on the front wall, many small photographs densely on the middle wall, and works focused on sequential viewing on the back wall. You could say I was conscious of a nuanced flow from painting to photography to film, from front to back.



—When did the selection process begin?

D'AgataThe very first meeting was over a year ago. After that, we decided through email exchanges with Kitamura-san and Wataya-san.

KitamuraMy first encounter with D'Agata was last October, when he was in Tokyo and visited Daido Moriyama's exhibition here. The very next week, we were already discussing a solo exhibition. For the following year, I stayed in contact with him as he traveled the world, meeting him when he was in Tokyo to finalize the details. We only had one formal meeting, though; otherwise, we just drank whenever we met (laughs).

D'AgataMajor decisions are always made like that (laughs). But seriously, I am honored to have a solo exhibition at this venue. Looking at the artists who have exhibited here before, they are all remarkable.

Photography is a Good Way for Me to Be Myself

—Did you travel before you started taking photographs?

D'AgataYes. I had been traveling for ten years before I started photography. And that lifestyle hasn't changed even after I began taking pictures. I search for myself through my travels. I also search for myself within my photographs, but finding the answer is quite difficult.

KitamuraNo, it emanates strongly from your photographs.

—What prompted you to start taking photographs?

D'AgataA photographer friend contracted AIDS, and we decided to take a trip together for what might be his last journey. We went to Mexico, where he let me take photographs, and that was the catalyst for me becoming a photographer. So, from that moment on, photography became my very life. And as I started shooting, I realized something else: this work is a very good means for me to be myself.