Photographer Hideyuki Ishibashi's solo exhibition "Presage / Connotations" is being held at the IMA CONCEPT STORE in Roppongi, Tokyo, until September 24th.
Based in Lille in northern France, Hideyuki Ishibashi is known for his work using collage and appropriation techniques with found photographs. In 2013, he held his solo exhibition "Presage/Omens" at BT Gallery in Kanda, Tokyo, and published the photo book "Presage" in 2015. That same year, he held another solo exhibition, "Presage," in Marseille, France, and presented his new work, "Connotations," in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to critical acclaim.
"Presage" is a work created by meticulously piecing together fragments of old photographs and postcards purchased at flea markets to create a single image through collage. The artist's careful manipulations, so subtle that it is difficult to tell at first glance that the work is composed of multiple images, enhances the work's completeness as a single painting. Furthermore, the artist intentionally leaves behind dust and other foreign matter that was introduced during the production process, giving the works depth.
His new work, "Connotations," is a series that further develops the approach of "image appropriation" and "reconstruction" used in "Presage." The portraits are inspired by an extremely personal poem by an American female poet, a friend of Ishibashi Hideyuki, about her own romantic experiences. The fictional man is embodied through a collage of countless images extracted from internet hashtag searches. By incorporating images reminiscent of typical fashion advertisements, the work transcends personal experiences and elevates the images to a more socially accessible level. This endeavor not only explores the fusion of literature and photography, but also questions the relationship between photography and collective memory in contemporary society.
This solo exhibition will also feature the original collages of the photographs that inspired the two series, tracing the trajectory of their creation.
【Event Information】
"Presage / Connotations"
Venue: Ima Concept Store
Address: AXIS Building 3F, 5-17-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Dates: July 29th - September 24th
Time: 11:00 - 19:00
Admission is free
Closed: Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays
