As part of the ongoing exhibition “in Vitro? in Vivo! – Photographer Yoshihiro Tatsuki ✕ The University of Tokyo,” Intermediatheque will host a special dialogue on December 8, 2024, titled “Photo Art & Science: Reviving the World of Inanimate Specimens by Yoshihiro Tatsuki.” This event will feature a conversation between photographer Yoshihiro Tatsuki and art historian, Professor Emeritus Yoshinobu Nishino of the University of Tokyo, exploring the fusion of academic specimens and photo art.
Academic Specimens as Inspiration for New Photographic Art
Since its inception, Intermediatheque has embraced the concept of “Art & Science,” offering new perspectives through a variety of exhibition projects. This event focuses on how academic specimens can be transformed into artistic works through the lens of a photographer.
Yoshihiro Tatsuki, renowned as a leading portrait photographer of actresses early in his career, has recently immersed himself in university museum collections, seeking fresh avenues of photographic expression. Known for his interest in what he describes as “the world of inanimate objects,” Tatsuki explores the stillness and allure of academic specimens. “Through dialogue with the specimens, I was able to feel the essence of life,” Tatsuki remarks, highlighting the profound inspiration he found in these objects.
His counterpart, Yoshinobu Nishino, is a specialist in museum engineering and art history. Drawing on his extensive experience at the University of Tokyo’s museums, Nishino emphasizes the influence academic collections can have on artists. He describes this collaboration as “a groundbreaking venture that opens new horizons in photo art.”
Yoshihiro Tatsuki:
Born in 1937 in Tokushima Prefecture, Tatsuki graduated from Tokyo College of Photography in 1958. He gained recognition for his groundbreaking work The Tongue-Out Angel published in Camera Mainichi in 1965. After turning freelance in 1969, he became known for his portraits of women and has continued capturing everyday snapshots worldwide. Tatsuki’s contributions span advertising, magazines, and publishing, earning him numerous accolades, including the Japan Photo Critics Association Newcomer Award, the Annual Award and Author Award from the Japan Photographic Society, and the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award. His extensive body of work includes photo books such as Eve’s, GIRL, My America, Family Portraits, Tokyo, and Afternoon Paris.
Yoshinobu Nishino:
Born in 1952, Nishino withdrew from the doctoral program in Humanities at the University of Tokyo in 1983 and later earned a Ph.D. in Literature. He has served as a professor and director at the University of Tokyo’s museums and as the director of Intermediatheque. Currently, he is Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo and an advisor to Intermediatheque. Nishino’s awards include the Shibusawa-Claudel Prize (1994), the Takeo Prize (2008), and the Legion of Honour Chevalier (2015).
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, December 8, 2024, 14:00–15:30
Venue: Intermediatheque 2F ACADEMIA (Lecture Theater)
Admission: Free (No reservation required)
Capacity: 48 seats (first-come, first-served; tickets distributed on the day)
※ Numbered tickets will be distributed at the reception desk starting at 12:00.
Doors Open: 13:45 (line up near the Tokyo Station entrance)
Organizer: The University Museum, The University of Tokyo
Note: The event will later be made available on the official Intermediatheque YouTube channel.