Studio 35 Minutes is re-launching with a bar space next to the gallery. Kota asked me to put together an exhibition that would coincide with the opening of the bar, and also serve as a kind of valedictory show. This is the result; I’m really excited for it.

Transmission
Studio 35 Minutes, Araiyakushimae, Tokyo
Curated by Dan Abbe
7/24 – 7/26, 7/31 – 8/2
5pm – 11pm (Saturdays: 12 noon – 11pm)
Nakano-ku Kamitakada 5-47-8
Talk show (in English, Dan Abbe and Taro Nettleton): 7/25, 8pm

It seems to me that many of the photographs taken after 3/11 have shown little awareness that they will be received by an audience. Naoya Hatakeyama and Shuji Akagi, though, are both conscious of the presence (or possibility) of an audience that will view their images. Hatakeyama has already established himself as one of Japan’s most sophisticated photographers, while Akagi is starting to attract attention for his simple, perhaps even amateur documentation of Fukushima. These two are, in other words, almost completely opposed in terms of their photographic technique, even as they share a certain mentality towards the transmission of their images. I think that showing these photographs in the unpretentious, barebones space of Studio 35 Minutes will allow the viewer to experience the qualities of such transmission.

Transmission
スタジオ35分、新井薬師前、東京
企画：ダン・アビー
7月24日～7月26日、7月31日～8月2日
17時～23時（土曜日は12時から）
東京都中野区上高田5-47-8
ダン・アビーとタロー・ネトルトンのトーク（英語）：7月25日、20時

3.11に関連した多くの写真作品は、作家にとっての写真であって、観る者に何かを投げかけるものは少ないと思う。それに対して、畠山直哉と赤城修司は観る者の存在を意識している作家である。畠山は芸術写真において洗練されている写真家の一人であり、一方赤城はシンプル且つアマチュア的ともいえる福島の記録写真を継続的にインターネット等で発表し、近年注目されている。この二人の写真技法はまったく異なるが、”写真を通して伝達する”という両者のメンタリティーは、ある部分では共通していると思う。粗雑で一見なんの飾り気もないスタジオ35分の壁に彼らの作品を置くことによって、作品自体の持つ『伝達』という部分をより感じられればと思い、今回の展示を企画した。

© Wataru Yamamoto

Now is a good time to see exhibits in Tokyo. Why now, in July, when each day is more unbearable than the last?

I was really impressed by Kunié Sugiura’s show at Taka Ishii Gallery ¹, “You are always on my mind / you are always in my heart; photo-painting and photo collage, 1976-1981.” Almost 40 years ago, Sugiura was doing things that younger photographers are just figuring out now. Sugiura is a long-term resident of New York, and she says that this work was not received well at all there when she made it. Better late than never? I’m going to see this one again. Until 7/26.

Kazuo Kitai has a show at Zen Foto Gallery ², “One Road,” which is worth a look. Also until 7/26.

Wataru Yamamoto is opening up a new solo show, “Spring,” at Yumiko Chiba Associates ³, from 7/25 – 8/23.

Keizo Kitajima also has the latest installment of his “UNTITLED PHOTOGRAPHS” ⁴ series up at photographers’ gallery, until 8/10.

© Motoyuki Daifu

Motoyuki Daifu ¹ will hold an exhibit of his work “My family is a Pubis, so I cover it in Pretty Panties” at the new Little Big Man Gallery ² in Los Angeles. It runs from 7/19 – 8/31, so I think I’ll just catch the end of it.