Lounge
March 19, 2015
Miniature-like, realistic photographs—Naoki Honjo's exhibition "small planet"
New works created for Paul Smith on display
Naoki Honjo "small planet" Exhibition Now Open
Naoki Honjo, a photographer who gained attention for his technique of shooting actual landscapes as if they were dioramas by narrowing the camera's focus, and who won the 32nd Kimura Ihei Award for his first photo collection "small planet" in 2006, is holding an exhibition titled "small planet" at the gallery of "Paul Smith SPACE," Paul Smith's first complex store in Japan.
Text by OPENERS
“I grew to love London through this aerial photography.”
The more you look at Naoki Honjo's photographs, the more people and buildings appear like miniatures, making you mistakenly think, "Is this a diorama?" This is the unique style of photographer Naoki Honjo.
From Naoki Honjo's "small planet" series
Courtesy superstore Inc., Tokyo
“When you look down on a city from a high vantage point, you can see the various backgrounds that make up that city. History, geography, climate, culture, and social policies… These are the constituent elements that shape the city. Through this aerial photography, I was able to truly feel the city's unique differences. And I grew to love London,” says Honjo.
This "small planet" exhibition by Naoki Honjo features and sells newly shot London landscapes, as well as portraits of Paul Smith himself. It captures London's landmarks and symbols in a completely new way.
“While scouting locations in London, I happened upon a Paul Smith shop. It was easy to overlook, but each store utilized the exterior of the existing building and had its own distinct character and individuality.”
This "small planet" exhibition was previously held at the Paul Smith 9 Albermale Street shop last autumn and received high acclaim in the UK. It is scheduled to tour Paul Smith shops worldwide.
From Naoki Honjo's "small planet" series
Courtesy superstore Inc., Tokyo
All four floors, from the basement to the 3rd floor, are a Paul Smith world.
The Naoki Honjo "small planet" exhibition is being held in the gallery space on the 3rd floor of the complex store "Paul Smith SPACE." This "Paul Smith SPACE" is the first complex store in Japan to carry all lines (MEN, WOMEN, accessories). The basement floor features casual lines for men and women and a bookstore, the 1st floor offers bags, shoes, and accessories, and the 2nd floor showcases menswear and womenswear.
Furthermore, the 3rd floor serves as a free space that can be used for exhibitions of works by domestic and international artists.
Naoki Honjo "small planet" Exhibition
Period: Until Sunday, March 23, 2008
Venue: Paul Smith SPACE GALLERY
Address: 5-46-14 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 3F
Business Hours: 11:00 - 20:00 (Closed Wednesdays)
Phone: 03-5766-1788
Official Website: http://www.paulsmith.co.jp/
Naoki Honjo
Born in Tokyo in 1978. Graduated from the Department of Photography, Faculty of Art and Design, Tokyo Polytechnic University. Completed his Master's degree in Media Art at the Graduate School of Tokyo Polytechnic University. He has gained popularity for his unique technique of photographing people and buildings as if they were miniatures and is currently active in various fields.
In 2005, he held his first solo exhibition "small garden" at superstore Inc., followed by "play room" at Mito Art Museum Criterion in 2006, and "small planet" at TAI Gallery in Santa Fe in 2007.
His first photo collection "small planet" was published by Little More and won the 32nd Kimura Ihei Award.