Kawori INBE
IMPERFECT CATS
Published by Akaaka
Printed in November 2018
Book size 26×21 cm
154 pages
Softcover
Language English
Design by Bunpei Yorifuji + Chikako Suzuki
ISBN: 978-4-86541-088-4
“Imperfect Cat” is a collection of portraits by Japanese photographer Kawori Inbe. Four years after her critically acclaimed photobook “Time to go back... to the moon”, Inbe used her website to find 62 women to portrait.
In her sensitive portraits, Inbe decidedly avoids a perfect, stylized representation of her models, instead she openly embraces faults and imperfections.
Being photographed is an act of expression, and Inbe thinks that many women who are photographed have something to convey. The photographs featured in "Imperfect Cat" are created through conversations between the subjects and the photographer. During these exchanges, unique expressions and values emerge, vividly showing the individual's presence.
Within the realm of photography, the subject especially women, has long been perceived as subordinate to the photographer in terms of creativity. Similarly, photography itself is sometimes relegated to a mere documentary or record status, placed lower in the art hierarchy. Inbe's work challenges these hierarchical norms, opening up new avenues for photographic expression beyond the conventional roles of creator and subject, performer and recorder.
“Inbe's photographs go beyond the mere relationship of subject and photographer. They are the result of superimposing truth and fiction. She embraces the humor, the boldness that springs from open questions and feelings such as anger and sorrow.” — from the publisher's description (translation by shashasha)
The book also includes texts by the models (in Japanese only), giving further depth to Inbe's portraits.
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" " Imperfect Cat" is a collection of portraits by Japanese photographer Kawori Inbe. Four years after her critically acclaimed photo book "Time to go back... to the moon", Inbe has used her website to find 62 women to portray.
In her sensitive portraits, Inbe resolutely avoids a perfect, stylized representation of her sitters, but openly accepts flaws and imperfections.
Being photographed is an act of expression, and Inbe believes that many women who have their photographs taken have something to convey. The photographs featured in “Imperfect Cat” are the result of conversations between the subjects and the photographer. Through these exchanges, unique expressions and values emerge, emphasizing the presence of the individual.
In photography, the subject, particularly women, has long been seen as subordinate to the photographer in terms of creativity. Similarly, photography itself is sometimes relegated to a mere documentary or record status, placed lower in the hierarchy of art. Inbe’s work challenges these hierarchical norms, opening new avenues for photographic expression beyond the conventional roles of creator and subject, performer and recorder.
"Inbe's photographs go beyond the simple relationship between the subject and the photographer. They are the result of the superposition of truth and fiction. She embraces humor, the audacity that arises from open questions and feelings such as anger and grief." - from the publisher's description
The book also includes texts from the models (in Japanese), which give more depth to Inbe's portraits.