Kikuji Kawada's essential photos mark a momentous chapter in his career at Arles, highlighting his considerable impact in the world of photography.
In the heart of Arles, France, the renowned photography festival Rencontres d'Arles is hosting a significant exhibition by Japanese photographer Kikuji Kawada. This marks his first solo presentation in Europe and offers a captivating journey through his iconic works [1].
Kawada's photography is never about simply capturing an image, but exploring what that image says. His constant influences have been the aftermath of war, the passage of history, and the symbolic language through which memory is expressed [1].
The exhibition features work from various series, including The Last Cosmology (1995), Los Caprichos (1972-present), and Vortex (2022), in addition to The Map and Endless Map [1]. The Last Cosmology series explores astronomical phenomena, such as the sun, moon, sky, and eclipses [2]. On the other hand, Los Caprichos, an epic series of images exploring confinement and 'mental architecture', was captured during a period of rapid change and economic growth in Japan [3].
Kawada's inspiration for Los Caprichos traces back to Francisco Goya's series of etchings by the same name. This affinity with symbolic and sometimes surreal references is evident in his later works, such as Los Caprichos [5].
During the pandemic, Kawada returned to The Map and created an Endless Map, which is showcased at Recontres d'Arles. Endless Map-Invisible is an overview of Kawada's work curated by Sayaka Takahashi and presented by Kyotograpie and SIGMA [4].
The Vortex installation, a random but coherent series of black and white images displayed at 45-degree angles to each other, is a reflection of Kawada's latest work, showcasing images from the Covid era [2].
Kawada discovered his aesthetic in Hiroshima, where he documented the aftermath of the atomic bombing. His work consistently reflects a critical engagement with history and society, capturing both the scars of war and signs of postwar recovery [1]. Notable examples include the harrowing moments in Hiroshima, such as flags, Coca-Cola bottles, and Lucky Strike packets, which he recorded as potent symbols [1].
Kawada's work, on view until October 5 in Arles, is presented on handmade washi paper made in Arles by Wataru Hatano and team [1]. The exhibition in Arles serves as a window into a renowned but under-exhibited region, while contextualizing Kawada's work within the central gathering of the photography industry at Rencontres d'Arles [6].
Kikuji Kawada is a photographer known for his symbolic work, and his book, Chizu, or The Map, is considered one of the most important photobooks of all time [1]. This exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in the power of photography to explore and express the human experience, history, and memory.
References: 1. The Guardian 2. Hyperallergic 3. Artforum 4. Kyotograpie 5. Artnet News 6. The Art Newspaper
- Kikuji Kawada's exhibition in Arles, France, at Rencontres d'Arles, offers a cultural-travel experience, delving into his iconic works and exploring the aftermath of war, the passage of history, and symbolic language, as seen in series like Los Caprichos and The Map.
- After the pandemic, Kawada returned to his work on The Map and created an Endless Map, showcasing a captivating lifestyle journey through his explorations of memory and history, transforming it into an invisible, ongoing exhibit at the Rencontres d'Arles in Arles, France.
