Naoya Hatekayama - from the mid 90s

River - Beauty in something so disgusting? I find the series very visually stimulating, and in particular like the contrast of the murky water and pale cherry blossom tree (from 1993-1994):







Blast: Powerful and almost otherworldly - I think this series is truly a testament to man's power over nature, which isn't necessarily good (from 1995):








These series, and quite a lot of Hatekayama's work can be seen at:
L.A.Galerie Lothar Albrecht

Miwa Yanagi

Miwa Yanagi's work (requiring quite elaborate set ups) depicts morbid, disturbing, and sexual takes on children's fairy tales.

Gelatin silver prints:



Rapunzel



Gretel



Little Red Riding Hood



Erendira


For the full collection see: http://www.wohnmaschine.de/fairytales.0.html

Recent Japanese Photography

Yesterday I went to the International Center of Photography, where I saw the 'Heavy Light' exhibit of recent photography and video from Japan. I had never had any exposure to the genre and was really taken aback by how awesome of the artists were. In particular, I liked Hiroh Kikai, Miwa Yanagi, Tomoko Sawada, and Naoya Hatakeyama. I the next few posts I will put up their photos here

Hiroh Kikai: Very cool monochrome shots of people in the asakusa area of Tokyo. His work really exhibits emotion



Tatoo artist with his son



Performer of the Butoh Dance

Blind Envy and Faith - Major Philosopher

Movin’ on
Hand me a falling star
And I’ll dowse it out
With all I know so far
And I’m calling all
Major Philosopher’s
To take a poll that what
I want is not absurd

It’s a mountain hybrid
Major Philosopher look
What I did
It’s a crazy island state
Look what I did
Oh

Walking out
On my sensibilities
And I’m cutting down
My sense of security
Now you can see
This existing deformity
And I don’t care
What you think it’s what
I need

It’s a mountain hybrid
Major Philosopher look
What I did
It’s a crazy island state
Look what I did
Oh

Maybe it’s a little big
In my mind and
Maybe you just can’t
See it yeah
Maybe it’s a little big
In my heart and
Maybe you just can’t
Be there no

It’s a mountain hybrid
Major Philosopher look
What I did
It’s a crazy island state
Look what I did
Oh