Motohashi Seiichi & Robert Doisneau: Chemins Croisés (Narrative Passages)
This exhibition features the works of two extraordinary photographers, Motohashi Seiichi from Japan and Robert Doisneau from France. Motohashi greatly admires Doisneau, and this exhibition delves into the parallel journeys of these two photographers, revealing a shared perspective that transcends time and place.
Born in Tokyo, Motohashi has spent over fifty years using his photographic and cinematic skills to document a society in constant upheaval and the lives of its inhabitants. Conversely, Doisneau was known for his ability to capture the pure joy of life, often employing his unique sense of humor against the backdrop of Paris and its suburbs, where he himself was born. Though born in different times and places, both photographers coincidentally produced outstanding reporting on similar subjects including coal mines, circuses and markets. Their shared experiences of the turmoil caused by World War II led them to capture the resilience and richness of humble, hardworking lives, as well as fading scenes of their respective worlds.
This exhibition, a special collaboration between Atelier Robert Doisneau, Pole Pole Times and the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, presents a diverse selection of Motohashi’s work spanning his fifty-year career, along with a curated collection from the extensive portfolio by Doisneau, which includes more than 450,000 photographs. . This collection includes unpublished works. The exhibition owes its existence to the convergence of ideas between Clémentine Deroudille, Doisneau’s niece, Motohashi as lead artist, and the museum’s programming.
In our contemporary world marked by perpetual confrontation and conflict, we aspire for this exhibition to be an opportunity for reflection on the richness of life. Through the lenses of these two photographers, who have grappled with reality and society with kindness, humor and a gaze born of a boundless love and curiosity for humanity, one hopes to discover the profound passages that connect us all.
About the Authors
Motohashi Seiichi
Born in 1940 in Tokyo, Motohashi Seiichi’s photographic journey has been punctuated by notable achievements. In 1968, he earned the prestigious Taiyo Prize for his compelling series titled “Yama” (The Coal Mine). Subsequently, his lens ventured into diverse settings, capturing the enchantment of the circus, the bustling scenes of Ueno Station, and the vibrant Tsukiji Fish Market. In 1998, he garnered recognition with the Domon Ken Award for his impactful work “Nadya’s Village,” a poignant portrayal of the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. In 2017, Motohashi received the Higashikawa Award in honor of his solo exhibition titled “Sense of Place,” which took place at the Izu Photo Museum in 2016.
Motohashi’s creative pursuits extended beyond photography to documentary filmmaking. His notable films include “Alexei and the Spring” (2002), “A Thousand-Year Song of Baobab” (2009), and “Take Your Time Arayashiki” (2015). His contributions to cinema were acknowledged with accolades such as the Berliner Zeitung Readers’ Prize and the International Cine Club Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, as well as the title of Best Film at the Saint Petersburg International Film Festival. His recent cinematic endeavors encompass “Belarus Revisited 2017” (2018) and “Ningen no Yogoshita Tochi Darou, Doko e Ike to Iu no Ka” (2021).
Robert Doisneau
Born in the suburban Paris commune of Gentilly (1912–1994), Robert Doisneau’s artistic journey began with studies in lithography at the École Estienne. He then embarked on an apprenticeship with the accomplished photographer André Vigneau. Following a period as a photographer for the automobile manufacturer Renault, he ventured into the realm of freelance photography in 1939. Renowned for his remarkable ability to capture the essence of everyday life in Paris, Doisneau achieved widespread acclaim. In 1951, he was prominently featured in the exhibition “Five French Photographers” held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, alongside luminaries such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Brassaï.
Doisneau’s contributions to the world of photography were celebrated with numerous awards, including the Niépce Prix in 1956 and the Grand Prix National de la Photographie in 1983. He passed away in 1994 at the age of 82. Recent exhibitions dedicated to his work include “Robert Doisneau / La Musique / Paris,” hosted at Bunkamura The Museum in 2021.
Motohashi Seiichi & Robert Doisneau: Chemins Croisés (Narrative Passages)
until Sep. 24, 2023
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum – Japan
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