Araki Ishimoto, a controversial master of photography. In Japan, along with Moriyama Andi Sugimoto, he was known as the most important photographer after the war, and Takeshi Kitano said he was more extreme and crazier than himself. His photographic work caused a sensation overseas and was admired by up-and-coming photographers.
Recently, Araki's first photographic collection of animals, "My Love Cat Quirrell", was introduced and published by CITIC Dafang. Through 132 black-and-white photographs of Quirrell the kitten (チロ), and 4 handwritten notes totaling less than 3,000 words, it tells the life of the kitten Quirrell, and behind the lens is the photographer's deep heart for the love of cats, his dead wife and the boundless tenderness, love and thoughts of the whole world.
Araki (1940– 1940) is a renowned Japanese photographer and contemporary artist. Born in 1940 in Taito-ku, Tokyo. Graduated from the Department of Photographic Printing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University. In the 1990s, it began to gain international attention and quickly became an important figure in the history of contemporary art with his avant-garde works.
"Because he's so popular, everyone thinks he's just a superficial performer, but in reality, he understands the true nature of photography," Moriyama said. He knows what role photography plays in the world. ”
Takeshi Kitano said: "The moment Araki walked in with the camera, it affected the subject. Araki's shooting style is very unique because he can relax the subject and create his own world. ”
Araki has published a large number of photo albums or anthologies such as "My Love, Yoko", "Sentimental Journey and Winter Journey", "Tokyo Hiwa", "My Love Life", "Tokyo Story", "Tokyo Life", etc., and has published more than 450 photography-related works so far.
My Beloved Cat Quirrell is a collection of photographs published by Araki after Yoko's death in 1990, and the only one that accompanied Yoko into the coffin.
Photography from "My Love Cat Quirrell"
The accumulated life makes the friendship between people and animals intimate and inseparable. All cat lovers can feel this, and Araki does the same for Quirrell.
Araki originally hated cats, and Quirrell was a stray cat raised by Araki's wife Yoko. In his final time with Yoko, there is also the kitten Quirrell who spends time with Araki. Araki's love for Quirrell is as fiery and unreserved as he is for Yoko, and he loves it as much as he loves life.
Araki cherishes every moment with Quirrell and captures every vivid moment of it delicately and gently with the "Quirnon 35-80" (Quirrell's special camera). Until Yoko's death, this album of kitten Quirrell has been with her; later, Quirrell has also left Araki, and he is finally alone, but at least there are these images that have retained time, accompanying him through these lonely years, dotted with a faint warm light.
"I love Quirrell so much that I try not to imagine... I paid particular attention to the occasional moment when Quirrell stared at the balcony—perhaps some kind of awakening, or constantly thinking, watching, listening, looking at the sky, and so on, and just looking out motionlessly. This kind of back completely conquered me, and it seemed to contain the helplessness of life, telling me many stories. ”
"When you live through those three deaths (father, mother, wife), you become a photographer." Araki said, "Then, when your beloved daughter also dies, you can become a poet." Araki and Yoko have no children, and perhaps, the kitten Quirrell can be counted.
"My Love Cat Quirrell" reads: