IREZUMI, THE ART OF JAPANESE TATTOOING

28.11.2020 // 20/03/2020

The photography exhibition Irezumi, the art of Japanese tattooing, which will take place from November 4 to January 23, 2021, will present five artists from different backgrounds: Achim Duchow, Irina Ionesco, Chloé Jafé, Akimitsu Takagi, and Hitomi Watanabe

At the end of 2020, we are presenting an exhibition project on a rarely discussed theme: that of irezumi, the art of Japanese tattooing. 5 photographers: Achim Duchow, Irina Ionesco, Chloé Jafé, Akimitsu Takagi and Hitomi Watanabe, reveal to us in turn different facets of those who ink them and those who wear them. If in the West Japanese tattooing fascinates and is considered an art in its own right, in Japan it remains taboo and often associated with the yakuza (Japanese mafia).

For this exhibition, we brought together these 5 artists from different backgrounds to try to understand what Japanese tattooing is: women, men, from different generations, Japanese, Western, tattooed or not, each bring a unique vision of irezumi. Whether on the symbolic aspect, on that of belonging to a family, on that of criminality, on its link with the entertainment that it also presents, Japanese tattooing is revealed from the angles of prejudices and its realities.

These photographs (some of them unpublished), in the dialogue they allow, tell the paradoxes of Japan's relationship with its tattoo art. Between art and criminality, between shame and pride of the one who wears it, between legality and illegality, we discover above all living canvases that speak of a very fleshy subculture, evolving on the margins and at the heart of Japanese society at the same time.

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IREZUMI, THE ART OF JAPANESE TATTOO

As 2020 draws to a close, we are preparing an exhibition on a theme which is rarely addressed: irezumi, the art of Japanese tattoos. Five photographers – Achim Duchow, Irina Ionesco, Chloe Jafé, Akimitsu Takagi and Hitomi Watanabe – unveil the varying facets of those who ink and those who receive tattoos. In the West, Japanese tattoos fascinate and are considered a true art form, while In Japan they are often considered taboo and are linked to the yakuza, or Japanese mafia.

For this exhibition we have brought together five artists from varied backgrounds to help us understand Japanese tattoo art. Men and women of different generations, Japanese and Western, tattooed or not, bring their own distinctive visions of irezumi. Whether via symbolism, family links, crime or even entertainment,

Japanese tattoo art is revealed from all angles, from prejudice to reality, as an element of living culture. These photographs, some of which have never before been seen, open the way for dialogue as they recount Japan's complex connection with tattoo tradition. Between art and crime, between shame and pride, between legality and illegality, we discover living canvases which speak of a thriving subculture, evolving both on the margins and at the heart of Japanese society.