Copyright ©Tomohide Ikeya All Rights Reserved
Breathing is a necessary condition for human life, but humans forget that they are breathing on earth. Just as they forget that they are breathing, they also forget the value and significance of being alive. When standing between life and death, human beings remember important things that they had almost forgotten before. Sometimes it is not possible to remember until the very end of life, and the moment one remembers, life is over. Without knowing death, you will never know life. The art of knowing death while still alive is a profound human experience.
Tomohide Ikeya has been diving into the water without oxygen cylinders and taking photographs of people in the extreme conditions of life and death under the theme of BREATH, which is far more inconvenient for people underwater compared to on the ground. While the models are usually underwater for 30 seconds to a minute, Ikeya spends up to two minutes underwater, during which time he swims with them and struggles with breathing difficulties while filming.Some people with physical disabilities volunteered to be models for the underwater photographs. By standing on the edge of life and death, human beings can more strongly realise the appreciation of life and the power of life to live in defiance of the oncoming forces of death. This is something we have all experienced once or twice in our lives, but we tend to forget about it as we become mired in the boredom of monotonous, repetitive days and the common sense of a grim world.
Ikeya has symbolically extracted the borderline between life and death by utilising the underwater environment, and has fixed it in her photographs. By looking at these photographs, you may be able to recall the power of life that lies dormant in your memory.
Wind Traveller Editor in Chief
Tsuyoshi Saeki.
Exploring the Beauty and Themes of Tomohide Ikeya’s Work
Engaging with the work of Japanese artist Tomohide Ikeya is an experience that draws one to its distinct beauty and profound themes.
Fascinated by natural phenomena, especially water, from a young age, Ikeya did not receive traditional artistic training.
His passion for art began with an interest in manga, anime, and Japanese cinema, which helped him cultivate his unique perspective.
Fascinated by natural phenomena, especially water, from a young age, Ikeya did not receive traditional artistic training.
His passion for art began with an interest in manga, anime, and Japanese cinema, which helped him cultivate his unique perspective.
Ikeya focuses on the relationship between water and humans, providing a contemporary perspective while sharing a deep cultural background
with other great Japanese photographers. His series, such as "WAVE," "MOON," and "BREATH," explore the interaction between water and humans,
addressing themes of "control" and "loss" within this context.
with other great Japanese photographers. His series, such as "WAVE," "MOON," and "BREATH," explore the interaction between water and humans,
addressing themes of "control" and "loss" within this context.
For example, "WAVE" depicts the struggle of humans as they exist as part of nature yet strive to resist it.
This series can also be interpreted as a metaphor for overcoming daily life challenges.
On the other hand, the "MOON" series addresses the themes of life and death, with water appearing as part of the creative and poetic process.
By incorporating elements like hair, Ikeya skillfully represents the continuity of life and the symbolic significance in Japanese culture.
This series can also be interpreted as a metaphor for overcoming daily life challenges.
On the other hand, the "MOON" series addresses the themes of life and death, with water appearing as part of the creative and poetic process.
By incorporating elements like hair, Ikeya skillfully represents the continuity of life and the symbolic significance in Japanese culture.
Ikeya's work is said to be strongly influenced by Shinto, where ropes serve a symbolic role in delineating the sacred.
The influence of Nobuyoshi Araki is also visible, deepening the themes of life and death through their dialogue.
However, Ikeya’s works consistently pursue elegance and fragility, never losing their pursuit of beautiful composition and form.
The influence of Nobuyoshi Araki is also visible, deepening the themes of life and death through their dialogue.
However, Ikeya’s works consistently pursue elegance and fragility, never losing their pursuit of beautiful composition and form.
In the "BREATH" series, Ikeya tackles the theme of underwater breathing, capturing the extreme expressions of models confronting their deepest fears.
His works, where sensuality and beauty coexist with fear, offer a powerful visual and emotional impact.
His works, where sensuality and beauty coexist with fear, offer a powerful visual and emotional impact.
Tomohide Ikeya's work stands out with its uniqueness and remarkable quality. Through this critique, one can immerse in his grand and unsettling creations,
reaffirming his significance in the Japanese art scene. The themes and aesthetics he explores continue to profoundly move his audience.
reaffirming his significance in the Japanese art scene. The themes and aesthetics he explores continue to profoundly move his audience.
Art curator and lecturer at the University of Zaragoza (Art History Department)
Alejandra Rodríguez Cunchillos
Artist’s statement