Gelatin silver print

61 × 50.8 cm. 24 × 20 in.

Signed in English on bottom right; titled, located and signed in Kanji, and dated on the reverse
PROVENANCE
Eikoh Hosoe Foundation, Tokyo
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the above

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued and signed by Eikoh Hosoe

The Future of Glorious Days
A Rare View of Yayoi Kusama, the Polka-dot Queen through the Lens of Eikoh Hosoe

Eikoh Hosoe is the first generation of “godfather of modern photography” in post-war Japan. Against the mainstream “realistic photography movement”, he demonstrated a more “personal” and “subjective” photography style. In 1964, Hosoe went to New York to take pictures of Yayoi Kusama. The work Yayoi Kusama was a special theme of the New York Studio series. Under photographer's lens, he beautifully captured a rare perspective of Yayoi Kusama with an intimate view of Kusama's Infinity-Mirror House - The Wilderness of the Sun, which was exhibited at the Castellani Gallery in New York. This masterpiece encapsulates the influential quality of the polka dots, and highlights Kusama's artistic expression and statement.

Hosoe carefully layered 6-sheets of photographed images, each at a slightly different angle. This particular placement creates an illusion of dreamlike movement of Kusama's portraiture. In a tight space crafted by soft sculpture, we, as the audience, are involuntarily fixed on Kusama's face, as well as her legs stretched upwards in a V-formation. The reflection and movement above echoes and perceives as integration with the subject and shadows. Despite such a submissive stance, her gaze is firm, and looks directly at the camera without any fear. As a skilled photographer, Hosoe uses the coarse texture of silver salt film and high-contrast black-and-white colours to construct an "illusory reappearance of reality". The constant refraction and extension of the mirror and the repetition and expansion of the superimposed shadows reinforce the viewer's impression of Kusama's self-confidence and everlasting spirit. In this exquisite image, the photograph manipulation by Hosoe and Kusama's presence encapsulates a legendary and touching moment, a collaboration of the two major Japanese avant-garde pioneers.

Price estimate:
HKD: 35,000 – 45,000
USD: 4,500 – 5,700

Auction Result:
HKD: 81,600