Transience

In preparation for our photo exhibition which will be held in a corner of Utsushiki Cafe in September, we visited three families based in Wakayama, Kyoto, and Nagano and photographed their daily lives and craftsmanship.

The Kawai family lives on the mountaintop they developed

The Sato family makes clothes from natural fabrics

A swordsmith who lives in the forest and weaves baskets.

Their lives overlap with the changing natural scenery.

I think that "change" can only be felt when the dots of a certain moment are connected to form a "line."

Even if you try to photograph this "change," of course all that will appear in the photograph is the present moment, a "point."

In addition, the photos in this article were taken during the summer from July 24th to August 5th, 2022, so there is no change with the seasons.

On the other hand, photographs always capture the "now" - the people, scenery, homes, climate, crafts, and artworks of the "now."

I believe that focusing on these countless "dots" is the first step to feeling change and living in the present.

Their lives make us keenly aware of the existence of "points."

Paintings and accessories made from soil and plants from the mountains, baskets made from bark and bamboo from felled trees. Materials derived from nature are never exactly the same.

In addition to creating art, the children are trying their hand at beekeeping and rice cultivation, living with animals, and weaving palm rope using methods they learned from villagers; the things they put into practice in their daily lives are increasing and changing every day.

They only get to see what they are feeling at the time, because they focus on what they are feeling and express it in their work and their lives.

Just like how dead winter branches sprout in spring and turn into fresh green leaves.

Their ever-changing "now" is beautiful.

Before we knew it, we were approaching mid-August and our days were spent preparing for the exhibition.

I feel relieved that the developing and scanning is complete, but there is still a mountain of work to do.

Take a steady breath and move your hands steadily.

Please look forward to it!

Oda