Creating highlights, but not just that

The current exhibition, "POLART 6000," has an overwhelming power from the moment you enter the venue. I believe this isn't just about the sheer volume, but about doing things that can only be achieved with Polaroids.

For instance, these 6,000 photographs are the result of 10 or 20 years of accumulated time. However, due to the nature of Polaroids, the passage of time is less apparent than in regular photographs. You can truly feel the "eve of the digital age" here. By shutting out this unique sense of time inherent in these photos, Araki succeeds in presenting himself as an artist, Nobuyoshi Araki, rather than just a photographer.

Yet, it doesn't betray the Araki we know. It's also kind to those who appreciate his signature balcony shots, saying, "Araki's balconies always have a certain melancholy, which is wonderful," or "Araki's skies and flowers are exquisite."
It's a collection of works that create highlights, but go beyond them.

Everything is what can only be done with Polaroid

The statement "doing things that can only be done with Polaroid" implies that doing similar things with ordinary photographs wouldn't be interesting at all.

The standard size of Polaroid, those white borders, and this sheer quantity—all these elements contribute to the fascination. If you were to see just a few of these photos in isolation, you might momentarily think, "I could do this too." But Araki, who deliberately chose Polaroid and this particular method of display, is truly a genius.

Looking at the works this time, I'm reminded anew that Araki is, in the best sense, childlike. It's like when I was in middle school and bought my first English dictionary, I immediately looked up all the dirty words. I feel like he's someone who has maintained that kind of spirit indefinitely. And yet, he manages to appear somewhat intellectual. It never devolves into mere scribbling. If an ordinary person were to misinterpret that line, it would be a serious problem.

Still, the quality of each photograph enables this spatial expression

Of course, the quality of each individual print is also exceptional. Polaroids might look easy, but they are surprisingly difficult. Even the composition alone doesn't always turn out as intended. The framing isn't exactly as it appears; you might think you've captured the subject's head, but it's cut off, or the focus is slightly off. Seeing these completed as perfect photographs makes me realize anew that Araki himself has become one with the camera.

Furthermore, the 6,000 pieces announced this time are not the entirety; they are a selection from over 10,000 works. Therefore, the quality is exceptionally high. Even the sky photographs, despite being Polaroids, are not the kind where you'd add a signature to the border. Truly, sky photographs of this caliber don't need any text; they are worthy of being framed individually.

As I mentioned at the beginning, the chance to see 6,000 high-quality Polaroids by Araki all at once like this will never come again.



Nobuyoshi Araki Solo Exhibition "POLART 6000"
On view until August 20, 2009 (Thursday)
RAT HOLE GALLERY
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Closed Mondays)

RAT HOLE GALLERY & BOOKS
5-5-3-B1 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-6419-3581
http://www.ratholegallery.com