SHIBUYA COLOR
As part of the Tokyo-Curiosity-Shibuya 2018-2020 photo project, I spent a few days last month, in this highly charged district of Tokyo, just meandering the streets. The theme is 'Curiosity connects the World' which is a joint statement between Tokyo curator Naoko Ohta, and the Mayor of the 4th Arrondissement of Paris, working towards a travelling display under the motto Tokyo-Paris : Soul Cities.
I wouldn't say that this is how one should approach photo projects, but I was actually lost, Not geographically, but photographically. The requirements of the project is a personal vision, capturing something 'precious, surprising, exciting or peaceful in the wondrous world of Shibuya.' The district of Shibuya, like the West End in London attracts tons of visitors because it is brash, bold, fashionable, and youthful. To find fresh imagery that is un-cliché is extremely challenging for a temporary visitor like myself.
Stepping away from the maddening crowd of the Scramble junction is difficult as it naturally draws you into it's hub like tentacles, due to the layout of the main streets radiating from it. And there's Hachiko Square of course. However, I managed to visit Yoyogi Park and the Meiji Jingu gardens several times to find a sense of perspective and contrast from its garishness.
Photographing in Shibuya, I cannot help but recall moments, in the late 70s/80s when I was shooting with Sakuracolor and Fujicolor films my father used to bring home, and wondered what Japan was like. The idealised touristic images of Mt.Fuji, blue skies and beautiful leafy gardens, serene shrines lined with cherry blossoms trees and water lily lakes appeared in posters and magazine ads at the time. The prints taken then have all now faded or appear with a green tint due to the passage of time.
Shibuya Color is my attempt pay homage to the nostalgic 80s in my mind. These images I selected represent the lasting encounters I had, amongst the many fleeting moments I passed by over the several days in Shibuya. Each depicting a personal moment of clarity which deserved to be photographed, if for no other reason.
I wouldn't say that this is how one should approach photo projects, but I was actually lost, Not geographically, but photographically. The requirements of the project is a personal vision, capturing something 'precious, surprising, exciting or peaceful in the wondrous world of Shibuya.' The district of Shibuya, like the West End in London attracts tons of visitors because it is brash, bold, fashionable, and youthful. To find fresh imagery that is un-cliché is extremely challenging for a temporary visitor like myself.
Stepping away from the maddening crowd of the Scramble junction is difficult as it naturally draws you into it's hub like tentacles, due to the layout of the main streets radiating from it. And there's Hachiko Square of course. However, I managed to visit Yoyogi Park and the Meiji Jingu gardens several times to find a sense of perspective and contrast from its garishness.
Photographing in Shibuya, I cannot help but recall moments, in the late 70s/80s when I was shooting with Sakuracolor and Fujicolor films my father used to bring home, and wondered what Japan was like. The idealised touristic images of Mt.Fuji, blue skies and beautiful leafy gardens, serene shrines lined with cherry blossoms trees and water lily lakes appeared in posters and magazine ads at the time. The prints taken then have all now faded or appear with a green tint due to the passage of time.
Shibuya Color is my attempt pay homage to the nostalgic 80s in my mind. These images I selected represent the lasting encounters I had, amongst the many fleeting moments I passed by over the several days in Shibuya. Each depicting a personal moment of clarity which deserved to be photographed, if for no other reason.
