We visited Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography in Tottori Prefecture. The late Shoji Ueda is a Japanese photographer who gained a lot of attention not only in Japan but also from the world. He never left his birth town, Sakaiminato City in Tottori Prefecture, and worked as an amateur photographer throughout his entire life.
Among his work, the innovative ”sand dune series” is the most well known. In this series, he photographed people who were lined up like objects with the Tottori Sand Dunes in the background. This technique is called ”Ueda-cho”, and is so famous that the phrase is used even in France where photography is prominent.
Within the museum, Ueda’s work is displayed in a row, creating a tranquil space. Some of his works can be viewed on the museum website. We recommend you to take a look. You will be amazed by the quiet energy emitted from these modern photographs. If these photos move you, you should definitely visit the museum to see the actual photographs for yourself.
The museum structure is also worth taking a look. In the vast landscape with no obstructions, you can see all of Mount Daisen in the distance. A box shaped concrete building stands there, almost like it was cut out from the landscape. The building was created by the world famous architect, Shin Takamatsu. This is a work of art which won the Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts in 1996.
Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography stimulates us with an innovative collection of images. It provides inspiration not only to art, but also how we live and think.
