Nymphet
The first section of the book features photographs of young girls, mostly nude or semi-nude, taken between 1968 and 1973. These images are controversial and provocative, as they challenge the conventional notions of innocence and purity associated with childhood. Kiyooka said that she wanted to capture the "mysterious beauty" of the girls, who were not aware of their sexuality or social roles. She also said that she felt a kinship with them, as she had experienced a traumatic childhood herself.
Kiyooka's photographs of young girls were influenced by the works of Lewis Carroll, Vladimir Nabokov, and David Hamilton, among others. She also published a book titled Nymphet in 1970, which contained some of the same images as well as poems and essays by her and other authors. The book was banned by the Japanese government for its alleged obscenity, but it became a cult classic among underground artists and writers.
Lesbian
The second section of the book features photographs of lesbian couples, taken between 1968 and 1973. These images are intimate and candid, as they depict the everyday lives and emotions of the women. Kiyooka said that she wanted to document the lesbian subculture in Japan and abroad, as well as to express her own sexuality and identity.
Kiyooka was one of the first Japanese photographers to openly portray lesbianism in her works. She also published several books that contained photography, non-fiction, prose fiction, and poetry depicting lesbian lives. These books formed part of a "lesbian boom" in the Japanese media in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Kiyooka's non-fiction and early lesbian photography in particular offered a practical guide to contemporary lesbian life in Japan and beyond, including Korea, Vietnam, and Okinawa. She also drew on lesbian history focused on ancient Greece, Japan, and elsewhere to make utopian claims about the future for lesbians in Japan and globally.
Okinawa
The third section of the book features photographs of Okinawa, an island in southern Japan that was occupied by the United States from 1945 to 1972. These images are political and historical, as they reflect the social and environmental impacts of the American military presence on the island. Kiyooka said that she wanted to expose the oppression and exploitation of the Okinawan people by the American forces, as well as to celebrate their culture and resistance.
Kiyooka visited Okinawa several times between 1969 and 1971, taking photographs of the landscapes, people, protests, festivals, rituals, and monuments. She also interviewed Okinawan activists, artists, writers, and musicians, who shared their views and experiences with her. She published two books based on her Okinawa trips: Okinawa no Shima (The Island of Okinawa) in 1971 and Okinawa no Uta (The Song of Okinawa) in 1972. These books were praised by critics and readers for their artistic quality and social relevance.
Male Gaze or Lesbian Gaze? The Photos and Writing of Kiyooka Sumiko
Kiyooka Sumiko's lesbian photography in Japan and beyond
Kiyooka Sumiko and the lesbian boom in the Japanese media
Kiyooka Sumiko's non-fiction and prose fiction depicting lesbian lives
Kiyooka Sumiko's utopian claims about the future for lesbians
Kiyooka Sumiko's books containing photography, non-fiction, prose fiction, and poetry
Kiyooka Sumiko's lesbian history focused on ancient Greece, Japan, and elsewhere
Kiyooka Sumiko's practical guide to contemporary lesbian life
Kiyooka Sumiko's photos of Korea, Vietnam, and Okinawa
Kiyooka Sumiko's biography and career as a photographer
Photographers' Identities Catalog: Sumiko Kiyooka
Sumiko Kiyooka: Japanese female photographer active in the 1960s
Sumiko Kiyooka's location and activity in Japan
Experimental interface to a collection of biographical data describing Sumiko Kiyooka
The New York Public Library project on Sumiko Kiyooka
Gallery Kiyooka Sumiko 1998 45 by Cratergratra on SoundCloud
Stream Gallery Kiyooka Sumiko 1998 45 by Cratergratra for free on SoundCloud
Cratergratra's music inspired by Gallery Kiyooka Sumiko 1998
Gallery Kiyooka Sumiko 1998 45: a musical tribute to Sumiko Kiyooka
SoundCloud tracks related to Gallery Kiyooka Sumiko 1998
Solarization
The fourth section of the book features photographs that use solarization, a technique that involves exposing a negative or print to light during development, creating a partial reversal of tones. These images are abstract and experimental, as they transform ordinary subjects into surreal forms. Kiyooka said that she wanted to explore the possibilities of photography as an art form, as well as to express her inner feelings and fantasies.
Kiyooka began to use solarization in the late 1970s, inspired by the works of Man Ray, Lee Miller, and other avant-garde photographers. She applied the technique to various subjects, such as flowers, fruits, animals, human bodies, and landscapes. She also combined solarization with other methods, such as collage, montage, and multiple exposure. She published a book titled Solarization in 1980, which contained some of her most innovative and original works.
Gallery Kiyooka Sumiko is a rare and valuable book that showcases the diverse and remarkable works of a pioneering Japanese photographer. It is a testament to Kiyooka's artistic vision and personal courage, as well as to the history and culture of Japan and beyond.
Sources:
[Gallery Kiyooka Sumiko: A Tribute to a Japanese Photographer]
[Join us February 27th for "Male Gaze or Lesbian Gaze? The Photos and Writing of Kiyooka Sumiko."]
[Nymphet - Sumiko Kiyooka - Google Books]
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