Manabu Someya
Michi no Ki (Signed)
Published by Sokyu-sha, 2013
Size: 22 x 28 cm
84 Pages
Hardcover
Languages: English, Japanese
“Living in this complicated world, I look at my surroundings beyond 'dualism'—self and others, good and evil, life and death. One must move between two ideas or merge the two ideas. In this collection of photographs, I seek to capture a hint of death in daily life. This is not easy to discover during our routine days. We tend to believe that 'death' is the end of 'life.' This is certainly true, but daily life is not just about 'life.' As a human being, 'death' is not only the opposite meaning of 'life,' but also coexists with 'life.' 'Life' may very well be surrounded by 'death.'
I avoid manipulating artworks with camera tricks or gadgets. Instead, I let the camera take the pictures, as photography is a passive art form.
While taking photographs, I simply react to the subject—without judging what is implicit in the subject. When reviewing large quantities of negative film, I sometimes get a glimpse of a new world that is beyond my senses. Even though this happens rarely, I keep going, because that is the power of photography. I wait for something to come to me on the other side of the lens. My style is to create a crack in the curtain of life, and gradually collect the inner nature of everyday life that has accidentally fallen through that opening."
- Manabu Someya