#Japan #Fukuoka #YUGEN Gallery #Mikio Hasui #Mika Kitamura

A Unique Dialogue on Photography's Essence

On August 23, 2025, YUGEN Gallery Fukuoka will host a special talk event featuring renowned photographers Mikio Hasui and Mika Kitamura. This event promises an enriching dialogue focusing on the essence of photographic expression, coinciding with Hasui's solo exhibition titled "Seventeen Portraits of the Sea."

The exhibition showcases 17 sea landscape photographs taken during Hasui's extensive travels across Japan's nuclear power sites, excluding the construction site of the Aomori Prefectural Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant. The photographs intentionally omit the presence of nuclear facilities, instead highlighting the interaction of light and wave patterns, subtly suggesting the underlying risks associated with these power plants. This technique generates a stark contrast between artificial and natural elements, prompting viewers to reflect on the complexities of modern landscapes.

Hasui, who has always believed that photography captures reality as it is, has made a remarkable choice for this exhibition. He digitally removes any artificial traces—such as ships and people—to present an imagined version of nature devoid of human intervention. This creative decision invites viewers to contemplate the nuanced relationship between humanity and nature, challenging traditional perceptions of photography.

The inaugural event includes a talk between the two photographers under the theme "The Truth and Falseness of Photography." Kitamura, known for her ability to encapsulate fleeting moments that embody daily human experiences, contrasts Hasui's approach, which eliminates human traces in pursuit of tranquility. Their dialogue is anticipated to delve into the blurred lines between documentation and expression, fact and interpretation—inviting the audience to consider photography's role as a media that reflects both truth and fiction.

As they discuss their methods and the tensions inherent in their work, Hasui and Kitamura will explore various forms of "truth" that lie within the visible and invisible realms in photography. Kitamura, born in 1982 in Fukuoka, has garnered significant acclaim in contemporary art, particularly after winning the Ohara Museum of Art Prize at the 2019 VOCA exhibition.

This event is a rare opportunity to reconsider how we observe the world through the lens of photography. Attendees are encouraged to secure their spots via the reservation form available at YUGEN Gallery's website.

Event Details

• - Exhibition Title: Seventeen Portraits of the Sea
• - Event Date: August 23, 2025
• - Duration: August 23 to September 15, 2025
• - Opening Hours: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (only the final day ends at 5:00 PM)
• - Artist Talk with Mika Kitamura: August 23 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
• - Location: YUGEN Gallery Fukuoka, 4F, Stage 1 Nishidori, 2-1-4, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• - Admission: Free

For further details, please visit YUGEN Gallery’s official website.

Photographers Mikio Hasui and Mika Kitamura look forward to welcoming you to this insightful event that uniquely engages with the world of photography!