ART | Shoji Ueda Centennial Special Exhibition 'SHOJI UEDA: DUNES'
SHOJI UEDA MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Centennial Exhibition for Japanese Photographer Shoji Ueda, One of the World's Most Acclaimed
"SHOJI UEDA: DUNES" Now On
The late Shoji Ueda, a master of photography. This year, marking his centennial, a special exhibition, the second in a series, "SHOJI UEDA: DUNES," focuses on the "dunes" that Ueda cherished, showcasing his staged and fashion photography to re-explore the allure of the "Ueda World." The exhibition is being held at the Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography in Houki-cho, Saihaku-gun, Tottori Prefecture, until Sunday, September 29.
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)
Centennial Exhibition of Shoji Ueda's Masterpieces Set Against a Dune Backdrop
Ueda's staged photographs, which arrange people and objects like sculptures against the vast expanse of the San'in region's sky, horizon, and dunes, without ever leaving his birthplace of Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture, are highly acclaimed in France, the birthplace of photography, where they are known as "Ueda-Cho" (Ueda Style), retaining their Japanese name.
The settings extend beyond the Tottori Sand Dunes to include Miyake Island, the Watarase River flood basin, and even dioramas created within the studio. The innovative photographs, captured in these simple yet mysteriously effective spaces, and the photographer's trajectory, are virtually synonymous with the history of Japanese photography.
©:Shoji Ueda
"I only photograph what I want to photograph. Or rather, what I can photograph. Photography is so much fun."
Ueda attributed his lifelong commitment to being an "amateur" to his pursuit of freedom. He referred to the background used in studio shoots, known as a cyclorama, as "dunes," imbuing it with the meaning of a device for detaching the photograph from reality and achieving freedom.
He would arrange family members, provide them with props, or make hats float in the air or hold umbrellas. The beautiful gradation in his modern, even humorous, monochrome prints arises from the expressive quality of these "dunes." Sand constantly rises and falls. Ueda called the act of constructing a narrative in confrontation with this ever-flowing "theater" "photography."
The placed figures and objects possess a striking presence, unbound by trends. Masterpieces are rare, but when they emerge, they effortlessly transcend their time.
Experience the photographs of Shoji Ueda, who presented a diverse range of images throughout his nearly 70-year career driven by an amateur spirit, at the Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography, designed by architect Shin Takamatsu, which houses approximately 12,000 of his works.
Shoji Ueda | UEDA Shoji
Born in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture, in 1913. A photographer who maintained an "eternal amateur spirit" without ever leaving his hometown. Fascinated by photography from his middle school days, he moved to Tokyo in 1932 to attend the Oriental Photography School. After graduating, he returned to his hometown and opened a commercial photo studio at the age of 19. Around this time, his works began to be selected for photography magazines and exhibitions, marking his emergence. He gained high acclaim for his "My Family" series, published in 1949, and works set against beaches and dunes. Awards include the Commendation for Cultural Merit from the Agency for Cultural Affairs on the 10th anniversary of its establishment (1978), Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters of the French Republic (1996), and the first Tottori Prefecture Citizen's Honor Award (1998). The Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography opened in Houki Town, Saihaku District, Tottori Prefecture, in 1995. He passed away on July 4, 2000.
Centennial Exhibition of Shoji Ueda: "SHOJI UEDA: DUNES"
Venue | Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography
353-3, Sumura, Houki-cho, Saihaku-gun, Tottori Prefecture
Dates | On display until Sunday, September 29, 2013 (*Closed Tuesdays)
Hours | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission | General ¥1000, University/High School Students ¥600, Junior High/Elementary School Students ¥300 (Free for children under elementary school age)
Inquiries
Tel. 0859-39-8000 (Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography)
http://shojiueda.jp