Limited edition photo book
¥14,500
1 in stock
This photobook consists of 30 photographs from the first part of what is planned as a three part series entitled, “Communities bound together by a common destiny.” The book includes 14 images previously unpublished.
These photographs were taken only in winter from 2016 to 2020, at a location that has been handed down within Ichio’s family from generation to generation, and where they will build a house that will become their home.
Inspired by their shocking event called “marriage,” they started this project to take their unique family photos, addressing the theme of “What is a ‘married couple’?” and “What does it mean to become a family?”
The first part of what will become a three part series portrays the birth of a community emerging into the world from the ground.
In addition, with the visual depiction of a husband digging a hole in a place inherited and protected by his ancestors, and having his wife bury herself in it, these images portray the problem of the gender inequality many Japanese still unconsciously have in Japan.
” For this series, Usui buried his wife where they will build their house. Being the first series in a trilogy of work this collection references Western Art His-tory and Drama Art History, it is a satire on patriarchal ideologies. The image of the buried female comes from Cindy Sherman’s “Untitled #153”, in which Sherman’s mouth reminds the Usui of Samuel Beckett’s “Not I”, a dramatic monologue with only the protagonist’s mouth to seen in an engulfing dark-ness. The work serves as the first step in a long collaboration between the artist and his wife, they aim to create a new ‘identity’ and explore issues that go beyond normal construction of ‘family’ and institution ‘marriage’. “
Referenced from: KYOTOGRAPHIE KG+SELECT 2019 12Artists Official Booklet
[ Photo boook details ]
Photo / Text: Chika & Ichio Usui
Size: 13 x 11 in / 33 x 28 cm
Pages: 52 (30 photographs)
ISBN: 978-1-7321184-7-8
The number of copies: Limited edition of 100 copies.
Publisher’s website ＞＞＞ https://ateliervgi.com
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