Hana Kinbaku 2008 © Nobuyoshi Araki
courtesy Michael Hoppen Contemporary
C-type Print 130 x 170 cm
In an edition of 1, each sold with individual transparency
Hana Kinbaku 2008 © Nobuyoshi Araki
courtesy Michael Hoppen Contemporary
C-type Print 130 x 170 cm
In an edition of 1, each sold with individual transparency
As of tomorrow evening Michael Hoppen Contemporary will be exhibiting work by one of Japan’s greatest artists, Nobuyoshi Araki until January 10th 2009. The gallery will present a series of handmade, one-off diptychs, never before seen in the UK. Araki’s Hana Kinbaku works are photographic diptych studies of flowers (hana) and bondage (kinbaku- the ancient and highly skilled art of Japanese erotic restraint). In this body of work, Araki physically, and imperfectly, tapes the images into diptychs, accentuating the join between subject matter and adding an extra layer of texture to each individual piece.
The juxtaposition of bound female semi-nudes and intense close ups of orchids,tulips and chrysanthemums strengthen the beauty of Kinbaku whilst reinforcing the innate sexuality of flowers. The work links Araki’s two main photographic themes; Eros (life/sex) and Thanatos (death), conjoining them in a way that has a strong and direct visual impact. The decision by Araki to only print one of each coupled image enhances the intrinsic themes of life and death.
The pieces are exceptional and one-off works of art, and each will be sold with its own original transparency laminated between perspex, so no further copy will ever be created. For collectors this is a rare opportunity to own a matchless Araki work of art. Michael Hoppen Contemporary specialise in Japanese photography and are delighted tobe working be working with Nobuyoshi Araki and his studio in Tokyo for this exhibition. I´ll be there from 18:30 onwards so until then!
