Kiwakoto Exhibition x KYOTO GRAPHIE International Photography Festival 2020

Details:
　　
Kiwakoto is joining KYOTO GRAPHIE International Photography for the third times. Also, this is the first time to collaborate with the artist / photographer, Ryosuke Toyama, with his traditional ambrotype photography works of filming the significant Kyoto craftsmen to sustain the Kyoto traditional cultures throughout this exhibition held at Ryosoku-in Temple.

KYOTO GRAPHIE International Photography Festival 2020
外山亮介 | Ryosuke Toyama
導光 | LEADING LIGHT presented by Kiwakoto
　　
【Location】
Ryosoku-in Temple
Kennin-ji Temple, 591 Komatsu, Higashiyama ward, Kyoto 6050811
　　
【Exhibition Schedule】
Open: September 19th (Sat.) – October 18th (Sun.)
Close: September 21st / September 22nd / October 11th / October 12th / October 13th
　　
【Artist】　　
外山亮介 | Ryosuke Toyama
　　
Profile：
Ryosuke Toyama was born in 1980 in the family of Tokyo Yuzen-Marbling craftsman. He started his cinematography career at TAIYO KIKAKU Co. Ltd. stationed at Daikanyama studio upon graduating from Chuo University. He also had served as the freelance assistant for NGO as he took the first step to be the photographer. He initiated the nationwide portrait project of the inheritor of the traditional craftsmen of his age. Mr. Toyama is greatly inspired by the beauty of the craftsmanship with an influence from his family business. It derived him to take an initiative to portray this significant craftsmanship by acquiring ambrotype photography, one of the photography methods from the earliest days. Today, he has moved to rural area of Kyoto to experience the lifestyle enriched by the nature to continuously self-discover his true value.
　　
　　　

Comment from Ryosuke Toyama:
　　
I filmed the portrait of those who has been contributing to the traditional craftsmanship from the eye of ambrotype camera. These are filmed at 1.5 minutes to 3 minutes shutter speed. This creates the moment for the craftsmen to reflect the past, today and the future. The photography at earlier era was believed to absorbs and takes away subject’s soul. This project also gives such feeling. My goal in this project is not just to film the portrait of individuals. I initiated this project to bring these souls to alive. The works of these craftsmen will be exhibited beside my works. I sincerely hope this exhibition brings you an experience of feeling the charm from both of my portrait works and these works of craftsmen. Post-COVID19 era left us to adopt the new lifestyle. The modern information technology has been enabling to create an artificial experience. This maybe will be accelerated in the future. I strongly hope this exhibition at such marvelous space of Ryosoku-in Temple becomes a great opportunity for you to reflect on the ongoing reality with your five senses.

Kiwakoto and Craftsmanship：
　　
Kiwakoto was strongly aspired by the great initiative of KYOTO GRAPHIE in the integration of Kyoto community and art. Kiwakoto has been part of KYOTO GRAPHIE for the third consecutive years since its brand establishment with carrying highly valued inherited craftsmanship with the great inspiration along with the true traditional philosophy of the craftsmanship. Mr. Toyama’s portrait works portrays the history and the great inspiration of the craftsmen in only 1.5-minute time frame. These magnificent pieace of art from the craftsmen and their portrait resembles their lifestyles while it gives us a moment to reflect on our own lifestyles. Ryosoku-in Temple is the sub-temple of Kenninji Temple in Kyoto’s Gion district. It is the place where multiple cultures are integrated to build upon the multifarious tradtional craftsmanship. The exhibition at Ryosoku-in was enabled by the great contribution from Vice Priest Toryou Ito.
　　
　　
We are going through the era of reflecting on our lifestyle amid the post-COVID19. We are sincerely hoping to bring you an opportunity to get you exposed to this great inherited craftsmanship along with their inspiration and lifestyle through Mr. Toyama’s works.