Electric Japan: Mayumi Hirata
(This is a past event and is no longer running)
London based photographer, Mayumi Hirata shares her latest series Jump!, defying the depression of lockdown by inviting her subjects to literally jump for joy.
JUMP!
Watch an introduction to Jump! from Mayumi Hirata
Jump! is Mayumi Hirata’s photographic project celebrating Japanese artists and others living far from the land of the rising sun. Artists and performers, designers, chefs and even monks are each captured jumping against a backdrop of identifiably classical European settings. Each image seeks to present “free spirits and movement” as well as “challenges in unfamiliar settings”, all with a small dash of humour.
When asked to “jump”, the dynamic between photographer and subject changes, tension dissipates and the shoot becomes more relaxed, with a positive effect on the outcome.
In contemporary Japan, the control of rules and laws, a lengthy recession, and the internet providing an increased ability to view the world from the comfort of home have contributed to a tendency for Japanese to think there is “no point in having dreams”. Less are attempting to travel abroad to live their dream. Being open to the other and not closed in behind borders is vital to Mayumi Hirata.
After the 215 year closed period of the Edo era (1639-1853), the Samurai cut off their symbolic pony tails and Japan rapidly absorbed the Western way of living and culture albeit in its own special way. Brexit and other factors may well make it more difficult for international artists to come to Britain, but Mayumi hopes Britain won’t slam the door shut to foreigners. She is keen to encourage Japanese to challenge themselves and do something outrageous, creative and beautiful outside their homeland – if they do, she is convinced the effect will be liberating.
“JUMP”
Photographs of…
Kei Akahoshi, Ballet dancer, Blackfriars UK
Hiroshi Miyamoto, Actor, Leadenhall Market UK
Yuta Sugimoto, Patissier, Galerie Vivienne PARIS
Nori Kajio, Taiko drummer, Clignancourt PARIS
Kisayo Boccara, Hat designer, Bois de Vincennes Paris
Masayuki Sakamoto, Taiko Drummer, Seven Sisters UK
Ryu Kobayashi, Onidaiko performer, Tower Eiffel PARIS
Misa Koide, Dancer, Rivington Street UK
Hideaki and Masahiro, fashion designer at Tokkou, Portobello Road UK
Yosuke, Taiko drummer/performer, St Peter’s Square UK
BONINGEN, Noise alternative rock band, Munster Castle Lake District UK
Motoko Hida, Bread Maker, Notting Hill Gate UK
Tsubasa Hori, Multi talented musician, St Anna’s Tunnel, ANTWERP
Ryozen Tateba, Monk at Koyasan Temple, St Helen’s Place UK
Yoshitaka Suzuki, UK Jazz dancer, Smithfield Market UK
Slideshow music by Joji Hirota and London Taiko Drummers