Limited edition photo book & A4-sized fine art photographic print

Chika & Ichio Usui’s first photobook. Published by AVGI in New York, it is a limited edition release of only 100 copies.
This special Artist Edition offer includes the limited edition book plus a fine art photographic print signed and numbered by the artists. The print is A4 size, and comes with a certificate of authenticity. After receiving your order, the artists will contact you so you can select the image you like.
[ *Please see more details of the fine art photographic print below. ]

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 The book includes 14 images previously unpublished.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

[ Fine art photographic print details ]
■Title: 運命共同体 – Communities bound together by a common destiny –
■Photograph number: #1 to #36 [*Some photographs not in this photo book are included.]
■Date of photograph: 2017 to 2020
■Paper Size: A4 size, 297×210mm / Image size: 250×140mm
■Medium (paper): European baryta paper
■Printing method: Archival pigment print (Inkjet)
■Ed: 20 [*Each image is limited to a maximum edition size of 20 prints.]

*We apologize we cannot accept requests for specific edition numbers (for example, #1 of 20, etc.)
*Depending on the monitor or device you are viewing, the color and brightness may differ from the actual item.
*All items on the English Shop page are available for international shipment (addresses outside Japan), at a flat rate of 2,000 yen, via EMS.