[ shinsato ] Twilight Zone

　Twilight Zone

   I take photographs of Tokyo townscape from emergency staircase of multi-tenant buildings and of apartment houses. Most of staircases are facing back streets, and it is interesting that the other side of Tokyo appears there.  Townscape in the twilight looked from staircases, to which no one reaches as if it has slipped from everyday life, has so erotic appeal that I am fascinated by townscapes every time when I take photographs. I become aware that I do not know anything about the town in fact, although I always look at Tokyo townscape .

   From evening to night there is time when the natural light and the artificial light are mixed together, and it is hard to tell if it is daytime or nighttime. It is only a short time of the clock, just about 15 minutes, but it feels longer to me. During that time  everything is chaotic and melting together. I take photographs of  the area of residential compound with commercial neighborhood in Tokyo by using a large format camera (4×5-inch).  I look carefully at townscape. It is interesting to find the place where an abstract shape or order appears in the chaotic streetscape.  I am fascinated by the power of unconsciousness of townscape when looking down from a little higher point.  The town is constructed by the necessity, not for the purpose of beauty, but I find it changes to beautiful shape and rhythm of which I am not aware when I am on the ground. Colors in twilight, that are mixture of the artificial light and the natural one, emphasize the beauty of town.

  I want to record the changing townscape of Tokyo and walk around there to photograph. I see the townscape in the twilight with full attention to photograph, am feeling how invaluable is the every moment of the changing world.