shashasha

“The flawless and the raw” are Andreas H. Bitesnich’s defining elements of Japanese culture, and the way it is reflected in his own work. Certainly, anyone whohas followed Bitesnich’s impressive 20 year career will recognize both these elements in the figurative work for which he gained an international reputation. In the context of his new book ‘Deeper Shades #02 Tokyo’ these aspects take on new and surprising form.

A master of the controlled studio composition, Bitesnich demonstrates that he is equally at home producing perfect compositions from random street situations.

The rawness of flesh is replaced by analogue roughness thrust over the bare bones of urban living. Images which in themselves are surprising, almost surrealistic, become even more bizarre through the book’s use of juxtaposition, lending meaning, distorting meaning, or as with most street photography, like life itself, leaving meaning entirely open to the interpretation of the individual. Is Bitesnich presenting us with an apocalyptic nightmare, or a fond and touching representation of humanity? The choice, he seems to suggest, is yours.