Kochi– Day 7

Day 7 we headed to a design school, it was a special day for the students as they were about to graduate. Class of 21 students got their portraits taken professionally in costume, where else I did instant portrait prints for them. It was great to see and hear from the youth of Kochi city, still vibrant and energetic, there are many opportunities and something that is uniquely #kochian. [1] the youth had great energy, and was really inquisitive, asking many questions in English. [2] The class, [3] negative prints, [4] prints of whole class with teachers, [5] demonstration. [6] our usually morning packing procedure. [7 & 8] the people's truck, my favourite for a while now. It's the most utilitarian vehicle here, most of them 4wd, if I ever get an automobile again, it'll be this truck. [9] I've pondered many times, in family mart, and I've finally gotten the Kochi year 2019 organiser, a new phase in my life to steer me. [10] Macha, my new japanese "boyfriend" from all the teasing 

#KantaPortraits #KantaJapan #KochiArtFestival #KochiArtFestival2018 #KochiArtProjects #KochiArtProjects2018

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Kochi Shimbun– in the news

In the Kochi Shimbun newspaper with @mitsu_maeda. We have a presentation and workshop on the weekend. As we bring a close to the project and exhibition, I feel we've started something bigger. Mitsu is inheriting a big responsibility!

#KantaKochi #KantaPortraits #KantaJapan #KochiArtFestival #KochiArtFestival2018 #KochiArtProjects #KochiArtProjects2018

https://www.kochinews.co.jp/article/232075/ 2018.11.16 08:33

箱カメラに写す｢高知の人｣　外国人写真家と高知市で2人展

それぞれの自作の箱カメラと共に立つジェフリー・リム＝右＝と前田実津　（高知市南はりまや町1丁目）

マレーシアと高知市の写真家・前田実津の2人　11/18まで
マレーシアから高知を訪れた写真家・アーティストのジェフリー・リムと、同じく写真家の前田実津＝高知市＝が、アナログの手作り箱カメラで撮影したポートレートを並べる「インスタント　KANTA　ポートレート」が、高知市南はりまや町1丁目のエムフォトスタジオで開かれている。11月18日まで。

手動で露光し、箱の中の現像液と定着液を使って現像までできる箱カメラは、「アフガンボックスカメラ」と呼ばれる。以前から関心を寄せて使っていた前田は、同じく自作の箱カメラで活動するジェフリーと3年前に知り合い、今回共同展示を呼び掛けた。...

Kochi– Day 6

Day 6 we start heading west, TosaCity [1] meeting a young farmer, Morisawa, who’s making Buntang his life. Apart from growing the common Yuzu, this [2] pomelo like fruit came here from South East Asia, Malaysia/ Indonesian region. Uniquely from #kochian, it is a cross-breed with local varieties. [3] In the field, making portraits of the and his proud work. [4] The boot of our car is starting to become a mobile darkroom. [5] On the way back, we stop over a retired shopkeeper, Kenjisan, making a portrait [6]. Ginger farming is in harvest, and the countryside is full of fieldwork harvesting ginger, Yuzu and many other fruits before winter sets in. [7] Quick stop at the used store to get extra lights for the exhibition, wow, many stuff I could use to make cameras here. [8] we have some official visits, most importantly from the art council on a review of our work. [9] Most heartwarming was the visit from hunter, Kumosan, and Yasuko, bearing gifts of local cake and my favourite mochi! [10] Portrait of Yasuko, doing important work, rebuilding rural communities. Mitsu and I feel is the overall theme of our project, migration, identity, sense of belonging 

#KantaPortraits #KantaJapan #KochiArtFestival #KochiArtFestival2018 #KochiArtProjects #KochiArtProjects2018

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Kochi– day 5

Day 5, In the mountain again of Kami district, deep into the central range Monobecho Onishi 物部町大西. Travelling between mountain villages, most of the natives here in the past, used the passes to travel without ever coming down from the mountain. This region has an interesting transmigrating culture. Stories from grandma of 98 years on how she ended up here.

Grandma [1] who is originally from the other side of the mountain range, was born into a nomadic family, travelling in-between villages, selling their wooden bowl craft. Yasuko [2], who works for an NPO, is stationed in Kami, Odoshi town, on reverse migration. In helping repopulate the countryside. The organisation runs out of a non-functioning preschool, she got us in touch with a couple who just recently made the move into the country. Trip into the mountain saw alot of tunnels [3], precarious cliffhanger single lane roads. Interview ran into two hours, with the couple helping out, numerous times [4] grandma pointed into the mountains, of paths and passes. [5] Making portraits of the locals. @mitsumae [6] I've grown to work well with, now becoming very well efficient, we have now become travelling Hako Kameras, making portraits, and collecting stories. [7] meeting Baseworks, a leather smith in the remote mountain, most comfortable shoes ever worn. [8] @boxkameralabo makes the first portrait with kamra #1interchange [10]. We spend so much time in the car, between locations, meals included [9]. I think the most meaningful part of the journey is made between us having conversations before and after our interviews as we reflect on our findings, the people we met, searching our feelings, seeing the country, our aspirations. There is so much I've not had enough time to express, but it's great to share it with Mitsu. I hope we'll be able to present it well at our preliminary presentation this Saturday #KantaPortraits #KantaJapan #KochiArtFestival #KochiArtFestival2018 #KochiArtProjects #KochiArtProjects2018

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[2] Yasuko

[2] rural maps

[2] village home

[3] road into

[3] Add caption

[3] rural bridges

[3] rural bridges

[3] rural bridges

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[4] interview, translations

[4] interview

[4] weaving, twinning, roping

[6] Mitsu and I

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[4] village home has a name

[5] portrait session

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[5] handing out the prints

[5] print setup

[5] goodbye grandma

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[7] basework slippers

[8] portrait session

[8] Mitsu with

[7] basework, kami 

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[9] dinner