Naoki Ishikawa, a photographer active around the world, is holding his first large-scale solo exhibition, "Capturing the Map of Light on This Planet," at the Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, until February 26, 2017. Naoki Ishikawa is a photographer whose awards include the Photographic Society of Japan Newcomer's Award and the Kodansha Publishing Culture Award. At age 22, he manually walked from the North Pole to the South Pole, and at age 23, he climbed the highest peaks on all seven continents. He has traveled extensively and has produced photographs in his own unique style that incorporates perspectives from anthropology and folklore. This exhibition comprehensively showcases his work, from his early to his most recent works, with a focus on his series of photographs of polar regions, including the North Pole, Antarctica, and the 8,000-meter peaks of the Himalayas. The exhibition will feature works such as "THE VOID," which captures the virgin forests of New Zealand; "CORONA," which depicts islands in Polynesia; "NEW DIMENSION," which explores cave paintings around the world; and "ARCHIPELAGO," which explores islands stretching north and south from the Japanese archipelago. Other exhibits include the equipment Ishikawa used on his expeditions and tools and artifacts he collected on his travels. Photographs taken in India during his first solo overseas trip as a high school student, and footage of his attempt to cross the Pacific Ocean in a hot air balloon, offer a comprehensive look at Ishikawa's life. Furthermore, part of the spatial composition was created by dot architects, a team of architects featured in the Japan Pavilion at the 2016 Venice Biennale, which received a special commendation.

Also, on February 12, 2017, the first visual and disc jockey event will be held at the ACM Theater of Art Tower Mito, using photographs and audio recorded by Ishikawa and sound designer Yasuhiro Morinaga in various parts of the world.

[Event Information]
Naoki Ishikawa "Capturing the Map of Light on This Planet"
Venue: Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito
Address: 1-6-8 Gokencho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Period: December 17th - February 26th, 2017
Time: 9:30am - 6:00pm (last admission 5:30pm)
Admission: 800 yen for adults, 600 yen for groups, free for junior high school students and younger, those 65 years of age and older, and those with disabilities
Closed: Mondays