Signed, Nobuyoshi Araki - Ara-kism - 1994

Ara-kism

Signed, Nobuyoshi Araki
Sakuhinsha/1994/Japanese/150*210*33

The photobook Ara-kism (Signed) by Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki. It was Akira Suei, editor-in-chief of Shashin Jidai (Photo Era) magazine—which revolved around Araki and dominated the 1980s—who famously declared not “Photography is media,” but “Araki is media.” Nicknamed “Sue,” his ideas and editorial skills earned Araki's support. Araki is called a medium not only for his abilities as a photographer, but also for his unique character and singular power of words. This book is a massive volume exceeding 400 pages, compiling all the writings and words Araki left behind in various media from the 1960s to the mid-1990s. Beginning with his thoughts upon winning the first Taiyo Award in 1964, to the point where personal feelings became realism in 1994. The writings and statements of Nobuyoshi Araki contained here are attempts to grasp the elusive, fluid nature of photography. These words, spanning thirty years, are all, in some sense, photographic theory. They express Araki's unique stance toward the world and the times, forming the special monologue of a photographer who has been sustained by photography and who has given life to photography." Edited by Shunji Ito. Signed by the photographer.