Successful in the fields of fashion and commercial photography, photographer NAOKI is also working on a personal project that contemplates the image of 21st century Japanese girls. In order to hold his exhibition of MOOD – 9 GIRLS at the CHANEL NEXUS HALL in Ginza, Tokyo in 2012, NAOKI spent more than a year working with Japanese models as he embarked upon this series, in which a theme is given to each work, with nine models appearing each time. Using various environments that surround contemporary Japanese girls as these themes for the photographs, NAOKI did all of the directing himself, such as model selection and fashion styling. These works express Japan’s unique cultural background and the mood of this era, together with the energy and aesthetic sense hidden deep within Japanese women.
As people’s values become more diversified, the environment surrounding each photograph also continues to change. Within this change, photographer NAOKI is always standing at the forefront of the times in Japan and internationally as he creates new expressions. As a Japanese cameraman, he faces his Japanese models and expresses a view of the world that is unique to Japan in MOOD – 9 GIRLS. These works will now be introduced at Nijo Castle, which is a historical landmark in the ancient capital of Kyoto. Japan’s past, present, and even the future are hinted at by NAOKI’s exhibit of works. You will also be able to look forward to enjoying a newly photographed piece that will be debuted inside Nijo Castle for this exhibition.
Film ONE SECOND
Against a pure white background in a studio filled with rays of natural light, the images of models are captured one by one as they pose freely. The film ONE SECOND comprises one-second moment from each of them. Also linking to his workshop (http://workshop.jp/) where he fosters new models, NAOKI worked with more than 300 up-and-coming Japanese models for this project. The ninety models who participated in MOOD – 9 GIRLS were also selected through the workshop. This film will be presented at the exhibition as well. We hope you will enjoy this compilation of one-second bursts of individual radiance.
