Dates: Jun 8 – July 14, 2012
Location: Taka Ishii Gallery Kyoto
Opening reception: Friday, Jun 8, 18:00 – 20:00

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Taka Ishii Gallery Kyoto is pleased to present REBORN “Tulkus’ Mountain (Scene 1),” an exhibition by Nao Tsuda from June 8 to July 14. REBORN “Tulkus’ Mountain (Scene 1),” Tsuda’s first solo exhibition in Kyoto, will feature over a dozen color prints including previously unexhibited works from the ‘REBORN’ series shot in the Kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas. The exhibit comprises images of chortens, trees in heavy fog, and portraits of monks who live in deep seclusion –– all of which are set in the Buddhist world. To produce this series of works, Tsuda toured monasteries in Bhutan, where he believes “the origins of Buddhism remain as a culture.” On his journey, he met tulkus [‘reincarnation’ in Tibetan Buddhism; designates a lama who can choose the manner of his or her rebirth] and documented the primary scenes of the origin and practice of Buddhism.

The ‘REBORN’ series, which Tsuda began in 2010, started with a chapter entitled ‘Tulkus’ Mountain.’ He will continue traveling to the Buddhist world over the next several years to complete the series. Through his view-finder, Tsuda interprets the “relation between humans and nature” passed down for generations since ancient times and unflinchingly captures the memory––going back to primeval times––that he believes is embedded in the landscape. Ultimately, his aim is to discover the ‘origin of images’ and produce ‘images that transgress time.’

Born in Kobe in 1976, Nao Tsuda has taken landscape photographs since 2001. His main series of works include, ‘Coming Closer’ (2001-2004), ‘Kogi’ (2005-2009), ‘SMOKE LINE’ (2008) and ‘Rera Faraway’ (2009). With his unique view toward nature and his sincere approach to the theme: the relationship between photography and time, Tsuda is spotlighted as a cutting-edge photographer, who is cultivating a new trend in landscape photography. In 2010, Tsuda won the Minister of Education Award for New Artist in Fine Arts. His publications include “Kogi” (MONDE BOOKS, 2007), “SMOKE LINE” (AKAAKA, 2008), “Coming Closer” (an enlarged edition, AKAAKA + hiromiyoshii, 2009) and “Storm Last Night” (AKAAKA, 2010).

Cooperation: hiromiyoshiiroppongi

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