The Tokyo Diary of Ivan Blazhev
Ivan Blazhev, our renowned photographer, recently visited Japan for a masterclass on handmade art photo books. Of course, he also took photos of Tokyo, and we show some of them here. We asked him a few questions about his experiences in Tokyo.
What has changed in your perception of Japan since you visited?
I wouldn't say anything has changed. It would be more accurate to say that it broadened and deepened for me. My interest in Japan and Japanese culture and art has been going on for quite some time, since my high school days when I first came into direct contact with that culture. After that, the interest just grew and expanded. During my college days, I became more familiar with ukiyo-e art and haiku poetry, and later, of course, with the photographic history of Japan, especially the contemporary post-war scene. Of course, throughout this period there is also the desire to visit Japan, but without the possibility of realization. And characteristic of all these years is that on the one hand I feel the culture close, and on the other hand still very distant and unreal. And so it was until the first opportunity to visit, which happened in December last year, when I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in Tokyo for the first time. And the first moment when I was there, I had that feeling, that at first glance everything was familiar, and yet so very different, as if something was displaced, unusual. Being able to directly experience the daily life of Tokyo really broadens and deepens the perception of that culture. As much as we know about the stereotypes, characteristics and specifics of Japanese culture, when you directly face and experience it in person, the experience and feeling is much more intense.
What made the biggest impression on you at the masterclass?
The masterclass was a fantastic, extraordinary and very valuable experience. It was organized by a photography gallery in Tokyo, and the mentors were the main curator and art director of the gallery, as well as two Dutch graphic designers, who are currently one of the most famous and sought-after designers, whose specialty is making photo books. There were 12 participants and the group was international, half of the participants were from Japan and the other half from different countries. The idea behind the masterclass is to come with a completed photography project and during the masterclass to create an artistic photo book as an object, from developing a concept, selecting and sequencing photos, coming up with a design for the book, choosing papers, printing and binding it. And in the end, you have a finished, hand-made sample in your hands. I was especially impressed by the experience and approach of the mentors, their thinking and understanding of the photo book as an art object, as well as the exchange and mutual inspiration and constant encouragement for in-depth thinking of the projects with the other participants of the masterclass. In the end I felt like I had done 12 completely different projects, not one, just mine.
What would you apply from Japanese culture and behavior here?
Ah, the million dollar question. The awareness and attitude towards the public space and towards others left a huge impression on me. This is a broad category that can include many aspects of culture and daily behavior, so if I didn't enumerate it, I would generalize it that way. And I would single out (not) throwing garbage, cleanliness of the streets, waiting in line and respect for others.
