HAJIME SAWATARI
TENKO
Published by Case Publishing, 2016
Book Size 150 x 210 mm
Pages 368 pages, 308 images
Hardcover
Language English, Japanese
Edition 1500
Hanayo found the Alice book on her way home from school. She was 15.
Tenko moved to Tokyo and met Hajime Sawatari. She was 15.
In London, when Alice was photographed, Hanayo was 3.
Alice was Tenko's favorite book when she was 3.
When Hanayo moved to London, she was 19.
Tenko left Tokyo and Hanayo. She was 19.
The universe cycles. The wonders of life.
-From the artist's statement
Tenko, her beloved daughter, has always been an important subject for Japanese artist Hanayo. After the birth of Tenko, Hanayo has documented her daughter's growing up between Tokyo and Berlin, in her dual capacity as mother and artist.
One of the first and second books Tenko came into contact with during her childhood was “Shojo Arisu (Alice)” (1973) by Hajime Sawatari, In Hanayo's photos, Tenko can be seen squatting over the photo book, reading in it as if it were a picture book.
At 15, Tenko met the creator of this favorite book of hers, photographer Hajime Sawatari. After their initial encounter, Tenko went on to become one of Sawatari's most important photographic subjects. Five years later, the two have collaborated on photographic works that carry the mystical, distant sensuality of the original “Alice” photobook.
The photo book “Tenko” is an intersection between Hanayo's photos, taken in her role as Tenko's mother, and Hajime Sawatari's mystical, sensual photos inspired by Tenko's favorite childhood book, Sawatari's “Alice”.
-Statement from the distributor
-----
Tenko, her beloved daughter, has always been an important subject for Japanese artist Hanayo. After Tenko’s birth, Hanayo documented her daughter’s growth between Tokyo and Berlin, in her dual capacity as mother and artist. .
At age 15, Tenko met the creator of her favorite book, photographer Hajime Sawatari. After their first meeting, Tenko became one of Sawatari's most important photographic subjects. Five years later, the two collaborated on photographic works that carry the mystical and distant sensuality of the original photo book “Alice”.
The photo book “Tenko” is an intersection between Hanayo’s photos, taken in her role as Tenko’s mother, and Hajime Sawatari’s mystical and sensual photos inspired by Tenko’s favorite childhood book, Sawatari’s “Alice.” Editor’s Notes