Hip Hop Portraiture by Che Kothari

Che Kothari is a Toronto photographer who goes beyond simply producing art works to forge whole artist networks. He is responsible for Manifesto, an art event held annually with more than a hundred artists, musicians and dancers.

Born in 1983, Kothari has a strength, attitude and persistency that belies his twenty-six years. His optimism is apparent: “Connecting small communities not only broadens our vision of the world but it can also change the world.”

Che has mainly worked in commercial photography and has shot many celebrity portraits. His work has a bright, lively atmosphere, such as his photographs of street children. As a producer-oriented photographer he brainstorms portrait concepts. One shot features well-known hip hop musician Ice Cube as if he is in a workshop carving an ice sculpture. He also shot Canadian rapper K-OS through scenes recreated from the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing, successfully introducing a narrative aspect to the portrait.

Che Kothari’s recent visit to Japan was realized via an invitation from Birdo Flugas and Eunoia Project. There were three exhibitions: at Birdo Flugas in Miyagi prefecture, Mori Arts Center Staff Café in Roppongi and UPLINK Gallery in Shibuya, plus an artist seminar at UPLINK factory. (The exhibition at Mori Arts Center Staff Café was open only to staff.) Aya Takada, one of the planners, introduces mainly Canadian artists at the Birdo Flugas Art Gallery in Shiogama, Miyagi, while Eunoia Project is a upcoming non-profit art organization that aims to introduce Canadian artists to the world.

The artist seminar at UPLINK gallery was very successful, drawing a crowd keen to see Che’s photographs of various hip hop celebrities. Che also manifested his approachable and proactive attitude when, just one day before his showing, he walked around Shibuya, randomly dropping in at various record shops. He showed examples of his celebrity portraits and asked people to attend his show the following day. The result was that youth not normally interested in art stepped into the gallery and enjoyed the exhibition and the event.

The artist-driven Manifesto is an annual non-profit festival started in 2007, aiming to revitalize Toronto’s music and art scene. It shows films, art exhibitions and live music from both established and emerging artists. After eight months of effort by Che utilizing his network and getting support from companies and local government, the first Manifesto was held in Toronto.

They also hold a huge meeting at Toronto City Hall every year. At this meeting, well-known and emerging young artists are invited to discuss their thoughts. They provide an opportunity to anyone to talk and share their ideas about the community in general as well as Manifesto. As Che said, “When the art spreads widely among people, there is educational value to it.” Toronto City Hall is one of the venues of the festival, and more and more young people are participating each year.

As Che emphasized at the UPLINK seminar, it often happens that artists who are famous and respected as heroes in their own communities are not well known elsewhere. Manifesto is an effort to revitalize the culture of Toronto and connect various communities together.

There are a lot of community-based local art events in Japan but the organization of such events is almost always launched by administrative powers, rather than the artists themselves. An art event originated by artists with some government support has the potential to act as a catalyst, changing both the art scene and the government.

Che’s parents moved to Canada as immigrants; perhaps it was inevitable for him to think of how to live better by communicating with people, and changing the systems and environment around him.

As Mos def said: “… everything that takes you away from [your goal], remove it.” We can await with eager expectation what Che will choose to tackle next.

Translator: Maki Otomo. Proofreader: Tyler Rothmar