Erotic Engraving

POETIC SCAPE is pleased to announce “Erotic Engraving,” an exhibition by Yoshiichi Hara running from May 10 to June 17, 2017. This marks the photographer’s third solo exhibition at the gallery.

The history of this project is defined by a singular, unfortunate event. In 1993, following solo exhibitions in Tokyo and Osaka, Hara was preparing to publish these works as a photobook. However, upon visiting the publisher to finalize the project, he discovered the company had suddenly gone bankrupt. The office was empty. Not only was the publisher gone, but the original positive films deposited for production had vanished, and the publication was abandoned.

In 2016—more than twenty years after this “accident”—plans to publish this “phantom book” were finally revived. Although the original films remain missing, the publication was made possible by digitizing Hara’s remaining vintage prints using the latest high-resolution camera systems. In May 2017, the photobook Erotic Engraving will finally see the light of day.

While Hara is widely celebrated for his black-and-white photography, Erotic Engraving showcases his work in color. Photographed in his early 40s, this series captures urban landscapes and women with equal weight, offering a fresh, sometimes fantastical perspective through his unique color palette.

The exhibition will feature 17 inkjet prints, and the long-awaited photobook Erotic Engraving will be available for purchase at the gallery.