Happy New Year!
Last week Tokyo had its first heavy snowfall in years. In truth, it only amounted to perhaps ten centimeters, but for a while it was enough to transform the city. I took this photograph a short walk from my home.
I have been sitting recently with a few of my photography books that feature snow. American Winter by Gerry Johannson, in which the photographer finds quiet beauty in desolate heartland towns. Moment by Yasuhiro Ishimoto: a meditation on mortality, comprised of photo after photo of footprints melting in the snow, decaying leaves, and clouds. Snowflakes Dog Man by Haijime Kimura, about memories and grief. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for contemplative books of winter photography.
And speaking of cold and snow! I am pleased to announce a solo exhibition of my work at Space Place Gallery in Nizhny Tagil, Russia, from February 11-24, 2022. I will be showing 30 large photos from my series, My Gray Tokyo.
Space Place Gallery has hosted exhibitions by photographers from the USA, Italy, Spain, Iran, Poland, Japan, and China, and has served as a venue for the Ural Industrial Biennial of Contemporary Art. Since 2015, more than 17,000 visitors have attended its shows.
I wish I could be there in person, especially as the gallery frequently organizes programs for visiting artists, including TV and newspaper coverage and opening day events. Although travel is not possible, I am grateful to curator Evgeny Komuhin for his collaboration as we have put together the show.
I hope that each of you is finding ways to enjoy the winter season. I look forward to sharing more news soon.
Wishing you the best for the year ahead,
Joel