MIYAKO YOSHINAGA | HITOSHI FUGO : KAMI
Hitoshi Fugo b. 1947, Japanese
Kami 15, 2023
Gelatin silver print, printed in 2023
21 3/8 x 16 7/8 in / 54.3 x 42.9 cm
Edition of 10 plus 2 artist's proofs
© Hitoshi Fugo, Courtesy: MIYAKO YOSHINAGA, New York
Written By: Lauren Levesque
The Miyako Yoshinaga Gallery will close its doors to the public after 25 years of operation. The final and last exhibition that will be displayed is KAMI, by Hitoshi Fugo. The exhibition begins April 19th and ends June 1st, 2024. Although Miyako Yoshinaga will be closed to the public, they will continue representing their artists. Further details will be announced in June.
Prepare to be captivated by the work of Hitoshi Fugo, a visionary Japanese photographer. His masterpiece, KAMI, is a complex and precise work that takes viewers on a journey into an altered reality. Fugo's profound still-life study challenges us to question the nature of destruction and the limits of human control. Born in Kanagawa, Japan, in 1947, Fugo is a true master of his craft, having honed his skills studying photography at Nihon University in Tokyo. His work is a testament to his mastery, using the beauty of photography to capture the multiple versions of his object, with the end goal of isolating and presenting it in its raw form.
Hitoshi Fugo b. 1947, Japanese
Kami 1, 2001
Gelatin silver print, printed in 2023
21 3/8 x 16 7/8 in / 54.3 x 42.9 cm
Edition of 10 plus 2 artist's proofs
© Hitoshi Fugo, Courtesy: MIYAKO YOSHINAGA, New York
In ‘Kami 1’, the destruction of paper is evident as the blackened flame twists and turns down the object. Fugo’s intention with burning the paper is clear, as he wanted to see how the flame would consume and break away until an entirely different piece was left in its wake. In addition, char marks are allowed for clear artistic intention, primarily centered from the center to the top of the compact layered paper roll.
Hitoshi Fugo b. 1947, Japanese
Kami 14, 2001
Gelatin silver print, printed in 2023
21 3/8 x 16 7/8 in / 54.3 x 42.9 cm
Edition of 10 plus 2 artist's proofs
© Hitoshi Fugo, Courtesy: MIYAKO YOSHINAGA, New York
‘Kami 14’ transports the viewer to various connotations based on the layout and burntness of the paper. At first glance, an image of wrapping paper streaks across the mind, as the photograph vaguely resembles piles of wrapping paper on holiday mornings. The scraps are cascaded into a fireplace or bunched up on the floor. Fugo’s every choice leads to the moment his creations will be viewed and interpreted by his audience.
Hitoshi Fugo b. 1947, Japanese
Kami 21, 2001
Gelatin silver print, printed in 2023
21 3/8 x 16 7/8 in / 54.3 x 42.9 cm
Edition of 10 plus 2 artist's proofs
© Hitoshi Fugo, Courtesy: MIYAKO YOSHINAGA, New York
Lastly, ‘Kami 21’ has strong roots in nature. Fugo's capture of light allows the photograph to appear in multiple faces and appearances. The main goal of Fugo’s work was to capture the complex sides of all things. Upon contact with ‘Kami 21,’ the viewer is reminded of shale rock in a way, thin grey layered pieces that all cement and mold together. The piece's overlapping and tearing allow for multiple interpretations.
