Hiroshi Sugimoto: An Artist Pursuing "Memories of Humanity's Ancient Layers"

Human Nature Laid Bare Through the Camera's Eye

The exhibition "From Naked to Clothed" by Hiroshi Sugimoto will be held at the Hara Museum starting Saturday, March 31st. It features his "Stylized Sculptures" series, which focuses on clothing (and the body). Under the perspective of "viewing the human body and its artificial skin as modern sculpture," the exhibition showcases photographs of fashion by 20th-century master designers such as Gabrielle Chanel, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, John Galliano, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo (from the collection of the Costume Institute, Kyoto Costume Institute).

(Left) "Ape," 1994, Gelatin silver print, 64.7 x 89.5 cm © Hiroshi Sugimoto / Courtesy of Gallery Koyanagi
(Right) "Stylized Sculpture 003 [Rei Kawakubo 1994]," 2007, Costume Collection: Costume Institute, Kyoto Costume Institute, Gelatin silver print, 149.2 x 119.4 cm © Hiroshi Sugimoto / Courtesy of Gallery Koyanagi

In addition, photographs selected from two series – "Dioramas," which captures exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History, and "Portraits," which captures exhibits at Madame Tussauds, will be displayed. These series, which capture images that feel like eternal existences transcending time despite being artificial, can be said to clearly represent the characteristics of Hiroshi Sugimoto's photographic works.

Furthermore, Bunraku puppet performances directed by Sugimoto himself, Noh costumes designed by him, and art crafts he has collected over the years will be exhibited, interpreting the meaning of the human body and "dressing" from Sugimoto's unique perspective.

A Marriage of Art and Champagne!

During the exhibition period, the "Café d'Art" within the Hara Museum will offer a special menu on Wednesday evenings, limited to 5 groups (10 people) per day. This menu features glasses of "Dom Pérignon," the pinnacle of champagne, paired with bite-sized dishes created by Pascal Tingaud, the exclusive chef for Dom Pérignon, designed to best complement its flavor and aroma. It's a casual way to enjoy a rich and flavorful pairing. After appreciating the exhibition, we invite you to savor this experience with a glass of champagne in hand, in the open space overlooking the courtyard, and immerse yourself in Hiroshi Sugimoto's world.

Film "When I Remember Hiroshi Sugimoto" Released

Coinciding with the exhibition, the film "When I Remember Hiroshi Sugimoto" will have its late-night premiere starting Saturday, March 31st at Shibuya Theater Image Forum. This documentary, which closely follows Hiroshi Sugimoto over an extended period, features an innovative lineup including Hiroshi Sugimoto himself, Tadao Ando, Lee Ufan, Mansai Nomura, and Akira Asada, with music by Keichiro Shibuya and narration by actress Shinobu Terajima.
This work is a theatrical version of a powerful piece that was broadcast on WOWOW's "Nonfiction W: Contemporary Artist Hiroshi Sugimoto" in December 2010 and subsequently nominated for an Emmy Award in the art category, with nearly double the length of new footage added. Through the exhibition and the film, we delve into the world of photographer and contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto from two perspectives.