shashasha

Meinichi tells the story of a day, August 15th, 2015 - the 70 year anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War 2. Through countless photos of the sights Araki encountered, subjects so various they range from cloud formations in the sky to sex toys, flowers, TV screens, snapshots from studio shootings, street scenes, nude women and his lunch, he creates a dense, poignant atmosphere. Masterful editing adds new meanings to repeating subjects as the book progresses - not without a certain humour. Every few pages, a photo sticks out from the images around it, arrests the viewer.