Reflecting on Extinction
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo will host an exhibition with renowned Japanese photographer and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto.
Sugimoto is a multidisciplinary contemporary artist, known for a variety of disciplines such as calligraphy, ceramics, poetry, cooking — his range is extensive. But his main specialty remains gelatin silver photography. Based on rigorous conceptual thinking and expression, Sugimoto’s photographic works stand at the very pinnacle of gelatin silver technique. But now, as film makes way for digital, the gelatin silver process itself is endangered and at real risk of “extinction” — the core theme of the exhibition.
This exhibition will feature over 60 gelatin silver photographs from Sugimoto’s early career in the late 1970s, all the way up to present day works. Drawing on Sugimoto’s photographic series, this exhibition traces the evolution of his artistic universe following a loose chronological sequence in three chapters. Chapter 1 covers light and memory, depicted through dioramas and seascapes that established Sugimoto’s reputation. Chapter 2 highlights conceptual forms and chapter 3 reflects on extinction. For a complete list of exhibited works, please visit the museum website.
Another exhibition featuring all of Sugimoto’s works from the museum’s own collection, including the Sugimoto Notebooks which reveal the secrets of his process, will be held simultaneously at the MOMAT Collection Gallery on the museum’s third floor.
