~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
写真家とはと、いきなり聞かれたたらどう答えるだろうか。写真家とは写真という手段を通じて作家の心の内を表現する表現者をさすのではないか。その表現の奥に潜むものに触れることができたとき、初めて作品を鑑賞したことになる。そのためには表現者に根差すものを理解しなければならない。それには自ずと、作者の生い立ちを遡ることとなる。
How can you answer the question "What is the definition of a photographer?" You may say a photographer is an artist who expresses their spirits via the media of photography. In order to appreciate the art works, you need the ability to touch with non-material matters which are hidden deeply inside the media. Thus you should understand the root of the artists: study their personal history.
——————————————————
幼少の頃から対人関係に悩み、就職した職場で上司からのいじめに遭い、世界が苦悩の闇に覆われた。内に閉じこもり、生きているのか死んでいるのか分からない絶望の中、なんとか二十歳を迎えた頃、兄から一台の写真機を手渡された。この写真との出会いがなければ角田和夫は存在していない。カメラは彼にとって、外に出るための魔法の道具だった。暗室作業には膨大な時間とエネルギーがいる。そこには禅にも似た心の安定を感じ、癒された。
Kazuo Sumida understood that he is not a good communicator with others and he has been worried about interpersonal relationships since his childhood. His world was totally covered with the darkness when he was bullied and victimized by his boss at his first job. During his black despair he couldn't understand the difference between living and dying, and all he could do is just lock himself in his inner, small room. When he managed to become 20 years old, his elder brother gave him a camera. Kazuo would have never survived if not for meeting photography at that time. Camera was a magical tool which gave him freedom to go outside of his mind’s four walls. Developing film in a dark room needs much time and energy. In the darkness of this room he felt peace in his mind like a "Zen" experience and he was healed.
——————————————————
三十歳の時、愛すべき父の死を経験したことで、写真家として世界に挑戦する覚悟を決める。次々に作品を発表し、「ニューヨーク地下鉄ストーリー」が第11 回林忠彦賞に輝いた。ほかに発表した「シベリアへの旅路 我が父への想い」、「土佐深夜日記」、「マニラ深夜日記」もすべてモノクローム作品、すなわち、彼が時間と手間を惜しまず注ぎ込み生み出す渾身の銀塩写真である。今回の展示は、それらのモノクローム作品と合わせて、初めてのカラー作品となる「ゴッホ」によって構成する。
When he was 30 years old he experienced the death of his loving father and he made himself determined to became a photographer everyone around the world would know. After his determination he had been presenting his photography works continuously, and he received a prize for the 11th Hayashi Tadahiko Award by his works "A Story of the New York Subway". The other works he has presented, including "Memories of My Father: A Journey to Siberia", "Tosa Late Night Diary" and "Manila Late Night Diary", are monochrome which means these works are Gelatin silver prints he made with confidence and delight by infusing his countless energy and time. At the exhibition at RICOH Imaging AWP gallery in Tokyo, Kazuo presented, as well as monochrome prints, the color prints called "Gogh" series for the first time.
——————————————————
ゴッホとは不思議な繋がりがある。彼がアルル国際写真フェスティバルを訪れた時に南仏の光と色に洗礼を受けた。世紀を跨いでゴッホが、南仏で出会った光と色に開眼したのと同じだ。そして不思議にも彼はゴッホの人生と重なるものを感じ、アルルへ再び足を運ぶこととなる。このシリーズはデジタルによる撮影である。今までの暗室作業をパソコンへと変えた。一見して違う作業に見えるが、根底にあるものは一致している。
It can be said Kazuo Sumida and Vincent van Gogh have a wonderful relationship like in realm of synchronicity. Kazuo was baptized by the light and color of southern France when he visited Arles Photo Festival for the firs time. The centuries are different but it is true Vincent was enlightened by the same atmosphere in south of France. Kazuo had a compassion with Vincent's life and visited Arles again. This series of photographs were taken by a digital camera. He changed his working space from dark room to computer desktop. There are differences between the two operations but underlying things are totally same.
——————————————————
命を懸けた撮影魂と緻密なプリントワークによって紡ぎだされた作品は我が子のように愛おしい。彼にとってプリントとは、実在してくれる生きものなのである。いつ死んでもおかしくない時期に養った繊細な心優しさと、苦しみに耐え抜いて、それでも生き抜くと誓った強烈な意志、角田和夫が持つその両面が写真表現の中で重奏し、世界への慈愛になることを願って、今回の写真展の名前をつけた。彼の愛が滲み出るイメージは、カメラという魔法の道具が奏でる音色である。彼の音楽が皆様の心に届いたとき、初めて『哀糸豪竹*』は意味をなす。本写真展は、ゼラチンシルバープリントのモノクロームとピグメントプリントによるカラー作品42 点により構成し、展示作品はすべて販売する。
Shooting photos is his life and developing prints is a child he loves and he cultivated through dedication. Prints are real living creatures for him. His delicate soft heart and strong determination to overcome agony and survive for his family were developed when he was not sure whether he was alive or dead. Both elements will be an ensemble in Kazuo’s art of photography hopefully embodying loving sympathy affecting the world. That's why we named the exhibition "Aishi-Gouchiku*". His images oozing out his true love are a harmony made by his magical tool called Camera. In order to make the exhibition title meaningful, his music should be reached to the bottom of your hearts. This photo exhibition is composed of 42 images including Gelatin silver prints which are monochrome and Pigment prints which are color and they are available for purchase.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*哀糸豪竹(アイシゴウチク)
うらがなしい音を出す琴と力強い音を出す竹笛。この二つの楽器が織りなし奏(かな)でる音色が人の心にしみ渡るさま。
*Aishi-Gouchiku
The atmosphere where the ensemble melody composed of two musical instruments "Koto" making a sound somehow sad and " Bamboo flute" making a strong sound can be carried to the hearts of everyone.