The significance of my photography and my creative outlook as seen through my work.

As mentioned earlier, among all the different cities, Shinjuku is in a class of its own for Yamada. Besides being the city where he was born and raised, there are other special reasons why he is drawn to it.

"Everything I experienced for the first time, from riding my bike to buy video games to working my first part-time job, was in Shinjuku. With those memories in mind, when I think about what attracts me to Shinjuku the most, I think it's because it's a city where you don't have to pretend. I think Shinjuku is a city where you can be yourself. That might connect to what I was saying earlier. For example, Shibuya is a city for trendy young people, Nakameguro is a place for fashionable people, and Akihabara is a place you can't enjoy unless you like anime and games. Each city has its own image, but Shinjuku doesn't limit itself to that, and there's an atmosphere where you can go wherever you want. It has a broad appeal, or to put it simply, although I personally dislike the word, I think it has more diversity and chaos than any other city. I'm really drawn to that. I think this feeling has had a big influence on me as a visual artist."

© Tomokazu Yamada

Of course, this exhibition also features works that capture scenes from the streets of Shinjuku.

"I take about two or three photos. Of those, I like the night photos the best. I think it comes down to the angle from which you view the light, and light is often easier to see in the dark, so I really like that perspective, or rather, light looks more beautiful at night. Also, the fluctuations and nuances of light, those things feel like a story to me. It's not a story, it's not a narrative, but it feels like a story, and it's easier to see that when it's relatively dark, so not just in this work or in Shinjuku, but the photos of cities that I take are inevitably mostly taken at night."

© Tomokazu Yamada

The angles of the "light" and the nuances of its "fluctuations" are connected to his own video works. Yamada says that this is one of the things he is particular about.

"Just like with video, I focus on that aspect in photography as well. I believe there should be scenes that tell the most story, moments where light and movement alone can tell a story, so I do that quite consciously. I'm also drawn to things like the movement of water."

When asked what he hoped viewers would take away from this exhibition, he murmured, "That's difficult..." and after a moment of silence, he slowly began to articulate his thoughts.

"I'd be happy if it could warp you even a little bit into the world you're seeing right now. I'd be happy if it could hack reality a bit, or take you to a place a little further away. And also, I hope that during those little moments of waiting, you can grasp that feeling of, 'Ah, that's beautiful.'"

© Tomokazu Yamada

While working on this solo exhibition, he says he gained insight into his next creative direction. He says he gained more than he expected, including a return to his roots.

"This time, I realized that I was creating more for others than I had anticipated. I think that in itself is a very noble act, and I am very grateful that my creations are appreciated by others. I also realized that I was able to do that seriously and properly. On the other hand, I realized that I want to do more of the things I have been doing purely since before I started this job—photography for the sake of photography, video for the sake of video, works for myself. Personally, being able to change my mindset is the best thing about this experience."

Event Information

Tomokazu Yamada Solo Exhibition "Memories of the City"

□July 31st (Wednesday) - August 20th (Tuesday)

□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 2nd Floor = Men's Creators/Art Up

*Please note that the exhibition content may be subject to change due to unavoidable circumstances.
Click here for event details ▶

---

■A pop-up event for "VALENTINO x UNDERCOVER," with campaign PV directed by Tomokazu Yamada, will be held at Isetan Shinjuku!
Click here for event details ▶

---

Text: Kei Osawa
Photo: Hideyuki Seta

inquiry
Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 2nd Floor = Men's Creators
03-3352-1111 (main representative)