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Tokuko Ushioda “Bibliotheca”
PGI
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Tokuko Ushioda
This solo photography exhibition, Tokuko Ushioda’s first with PGI, will include approximately 25 gelatin silver prints from her most recent work “Bibliotheca.” Ushioda was born in Tokyo in 1940. She studied under Yasuhiro Ishimoto and Kiyoji Otsuji at the Kuwasawa Design School, where she also instructed after graduating in 1963. Her career as a photographer began in 1975.
“Bibliotheca” is an ongoing series Ushioda started over 20 years ago after admiring the beauty of a book she was reading. She went on to photograph books in a variety of settings, including public and university libraries, publishers’ cutting rooms and mentor Kiyoji Otsuji’s atelier. Throughout the process she wrestled with the question of whether these items, intended only to be read, could also make for an interesting photographic subject. The books range from antiques, such as an Edo period accounting ledger and a 14th-century prayer book, all the way to elementary school dictionaries and items from Ushioda’s own bookshelves, along with photos from restoration workshops and more. As with her magnum opus “Ice Box,” these photographs go beyond merely showing physical objects, giving an impression of both the passage of time and the people who’ve used them. This is the essence of her style. “Just showing books isn’t enough,” says Ushioda. True to her words, she’s presented a series of photographs in which the effects of time and handling are so palpable that they create an intimate image of the books’ owners. Whether shot in dim libraries or resplendent ateliers, all images were captured using only natural light. The resulting monochrome prints display exceptional tonality and serve to enhance Ushioda’s vision.
“Bibliotheca” is an ongoing series Ushioda started over 20 years ago after admiring the beauty of a book she was reading. She went on to photograph books in a variety of settings, including public and university libraries, publishers’ cutting rooms and mentor Kiyoji Otsuji’s atelier. Throughout the process she wrestled with the question of whether these items, intended only to be read, could also make for an interesting photographic subject. The books range from antiques, such as an Edo period accounting ledger and a 14th-century prayer book, all the way to elementary school dictionaries and items from Ushioda’s own bookshelves, along with photos from restoration workshops and more. As with her magnum opus “Ice Box,” these photographs go beyond merely showing physical objects, giving an impression of both the passage of time and the people who’ve used them. This is the essence of her style. “Just showing books isn’t enough,” says Ushioda. True to her words, she’s presented a series of photographs in which the effects of time and handling are so palpable that they create an intimate image of the books’ owners. Whether shot in dim libraries or resplendent ateliers, all images were captured using only natural light. The resulting monochrome prints display exceptional tonality and serve to enhance Ushioda’s vision.
Schedule | Mar 8 (Wed) 2017-Apr 28 (Fri) 2017 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Free | ||||
| Website | http://www.pgi.ac/en/exhibitions/3636/ | ||||
| Venue | PGI http://www.pgi.ac/index.php?lang=en | ||||
| Location | 3F TKB Bldg., 2-3-4 Higashi-azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0044 | ||||
| Access | 4 minute walk from the Nakanohashi exit of Akabanebashi Station on the Toei Oedo line, 8 minute walk from exit 6 at Azabu-juban Station on the Namboku or Toei Oedo line, 8 minute walk from exit 1 at Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya line. | ||||
| Phone | 03-5114-7935 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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