Araki Nobuyoshi

Araki Nobuyoshi

B.1940

Japanese Photographer

Sources: http://www.vice.com/read/nobuyoshi-araki-118-v15n7

VICE interview with this crazy horny old man! 

Araki

Considered one of the most prolific Japanese photographers; Araki is concerned with the exploration of erotic art photography.

I found some really interesting words in a VICE interview with Araki

“Taking pictures of everyday life that is not normally ‘important’ in the photographic sense of the word is very important for Mr. Araki,” adds Isshiki. According to the manager, Araki has an undying desire to devour life and to murder the concept of time with each of his image.

Time can be seen in social and cultural reflections; Araki's photographs are not claiming either of these notions. His experimental photographs celebrate universal human desire and hence the concept of time is rendered invisible. 

Araki's work is often highly sexualised, he has been openly referred to as a horny old man. Now this does seem somewhat disturbing to hear without seeing some of his work but his is work is SO SEDUCTIVE. 

Araki has said some really wonderful things about the way in which he approaches photography that will make the viewer understand why he can produce such strong work.

In discussing how he approaches his subject he reveals that they are certainly more extraordinary than him as they all have their own charms. Often, he says, they aren't even aware of their own charms so you have to discover it and present it to them. He believes that this is an essential part of his work - finding how to present the aura that people naturally radiate. This belief in finding people's aura and beauty is very romantic.  

Araki has created an enormous amount of work so much that he has voiced the idea of many different Araki's being inside of him - which I think is silly and equally great and probably true to most people. Each of us has different urges and places in our personalities that respond differently to what is occurring around us - Araki has documented his ways of seeing through his artwork.