写真家 広田泉 - パリ個展！-2021/11/30～12/11

BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
In 2019, for our 50th birthday, we got together with college friends in our class reunion. It had been 35 years since our graduation from school. At the end of this meeting, we promised to keep in touch.

 

It was then that we learned about our classmate, photographer Izumi HIROTA, had been diagnosed with cancer. Then not so long after, another classmate, who lives in France, offered to organize an exhibition of HIROTA's works in Paris.

 

As HIROTA has agreed, we have decided to make this exhibition comes true. We would do appreciate any kind of your support to make this exhibition successfully.

Thank you very much.

THE PROJECT
- The exhibition: Exhitib works of the photographer Izumi HIROTA
     Location: Espace Japon located in the heart of Paris
     Date: November 30, 2021 to December 11, 2021
     Vernissage: December 2, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 

- The exhibition will feature photographs of trains and railways taken in many parts of Japan. Some works are printed on paper with raised patterns giving the photographs a three-dimensional effect, others are presented as Kakemono giving an eternal aspect to the images.

 

We hope that this exhibition will give the French public the opportunity to contemplate the magnificent landscapes of Japan and the railway photographs.

 

- Upstream of the exhibition, we have already finalized the distribution of flyers, the reservation of places, the preparation and supply of equipment, the coordination and production of the exhibition, as well as the organization of travel for local partners and Japanese assistants.

 

- In order to ensure the success of the exhibition and to allow Mr. HIROTA and his wife to experience the event on site, and to take medical measures on site if they prove necessary, we have planned to collect funds from those around us. However, we would be grateful if you could provide any financial support to reduce the burden on the artist as much as possible.

 

- We will publish a report on the exhibition on the youtube channel "HIROTA IZUMI CHANNEL" around January 2022. If the founding project ends successfully, we will pass all the money on to Mr. and Mrs. Hirota after deduction of some occurred costs. We will also report on all our revenues and expenses from the foundation project.

 

Message by IZUMI HIROTA
During my childhood, new cars were released almost every year, and on the way to school I admired them saying to myself "one day, when I grow up, I'll try them all!".

 

Also on the rail networks, I liked to see these very attractive wagons that crisscrossed all over Japan. Just flipping through the indicator book fascinated me! During my youth, without a driving license, I continued my virtual journey.

 

Once I became an adult, my urge to travel never subsided. On the contrary, my passion for exploring the world was growing. So, I started taking photos while traveling to various places in Japan and abroad. Whether it is plane, train, boat, each vehicle has its particular charm, and for me represented a subject to photograph. I continued to travel with always so much joy.

 

I thought it would last forever.

 

But in 2019, we are struck by the Covid -19 pandemic.
Traveling, as we always have, can no longer be taken for granted.

Fortunately, I was able to pass my time without getting infected with the virus.

 

Then one day in May 2020, the day after the health emergency in Japan was lifted, I decided to have a medical exam because I hadn't been feeling very fit for a while.

 

And there I was diagnosed with very advanced cancer.
I admit, I was very shocked by this sudden condemnation.
However, I haven't had a shred of regret in my life, because I've always done what I love and have been passionate, fulfilled by my activities as a photographer.
It was a good opportunity to start thinking seriously about how to finish, complete my photographic work.

 

In June 2020, when I was just starting to cope with this terrible disease, I was offered to organize my exhibition in Paris for December 2021.

 

I could only say YES,

 

Immediately I spoke to my medical specialist and he was speechless ...
so I realized that I might not have time to live for more than a year and a half.
However, I was very determined and I had decided, whatever happens, I will do this exhibition.

 

Today, I am still alive.

 

I am very grateful to have this opportunity to be able to present my photographs in Paris.
For this exhibition, I would like to present trains that run through various landscapes and seasons of Japan. The greatest attraction of railway photography is that we can redraw, freely reframe the shape of the subject as well as its landscape.

 

Today, I have not yet reached the end of my strength.

 

I continue to implement exhibition projects, not only abroad but also in different parts of Japan, such as Chiba, Yamagata or Iwate, and would like to show all my work from different periods.
Then, probably one day, once this pandemic is eradicated, I will start my trip again to take pictures.

 

Yes, my enthusiasm is still intact, as long as I am still alive.

 

Izumi HIROTA
21 September, 2021

 

Profile of IZUMI HIROTA
Born in Tokyo in 1969, he made his first train photograph at the age of two with the help of his father.
In 2003, he decided to devote himself entirely to the activity of a professional photographer.

While traveling the world in search of landscapes, he is in charge of development, technical advice and promotion for camera manufacturers and OEMs, and presents his works through editions and exhibitions both in Japan and 'abroad.

 

PRESENTATION OF THE PROJECT ORGANIZER
I was a classmate of photographer Izumi HIROTA in elementary school and middle school.
Having spent my childhood in France, I consider it to be my "second homeland".
I did not need reasons and just dearly wanted to get involved in the realization of the Exhibition project of HIROTA's work in France.

 

HIROTA courageously faces his situation, while persevering in his own style and plans a solo exhibition in Paris, as well as in other countries and in Japan.

 

I admire him for it.

 

We would be very grateful if you could help and support Mr. and Mrs. HIROTA.

 

Sincerely, thanks.
Ken KASHIWAKURA