Courtesy of Tatsuo Suzuki | Void Tokyo
Introduction
Photo collectives have always played a crucial role in advancing the art of photography. Groups like f/64, founded in 1932 with members such as Ansel Adams, focused on creating crystal-clear images. In contrast, the Provoke collective of the 1960s experimented with blurred, grainy compositions. Magnum Photos, established after World War II, has profoundly influenced documentary and street photography.
Continuing this tradition, in 2017, a group of eleven photographers formed Void Tokyo. Their mission is to capture the ever-changing essence of Tokyo from multiple perspectives. Their work documents the city’s evolution, shaped by both internal dynamics and global events. As the ninth issue of their photo zine is set to be released, we take a closer look at the artists behind Void Tokyo.
Void Tokyo: From Volume 1 to 6
The early issues of VoidTokyo aimed to document Tokyo in real-time, capturing the city in the lead-up to the 2020 Olympics. The collective sought to explore how global events would shape the metropolis. Their manifesto states:
"Our compound eye viewpoints are gazing at the void of current Tokyo. Surely, there must be our Tokyo’s future. We will have been capturing the future of Tokyo, which keeps changing, through the approach of street photography. And we want to continue presenting it as a record, memory, and photograph."
Courtesy of Hiroki Fujitani | Void Tokyo
Founders and Key Members:
Tatsuo Suzuki
The founder of VoidTokyo, Tatsuo Suzuki, is a renowned Japanese street photographer. His recent book, The Sound of Waves, reflects a shift in style, blending abstract imagery with traditional street photography. A central theme of the book is water, symbolizing transformation and movement:
"During the pandemic, I suffered the loss of a close friend. After his funeral, I happened to photograph the ocean waves in Hayama and felt that he had returned to the sea. At that moment, I decided that water would serve as the motif for my new work."
Tadashi Onishi
The creator of Rozou Project, which projects street photography onto urban walls, Onishi aims to break the barriers between photographers and passersby:
"By projecting images directly onto the streets, we engage people who might not otherwise be interested in photography."
Aside from street photography, Tadashi also focuses on capturing dancers, portraying movement and energy through his lens.
Ash Shinya Kawaoto
A Magnum Photography Awards 2017 finalist, Kawaoto is known for his project Scrap and Build, which explores Tokyo’s cycle of constant reconstruction:
"The city is in a perpetual loop of demolishing and rebuilding. This dynamic is reflected not only in its architecture but also in its people, constantly on the move."
Joel Pulliam
A former lawyer who relocated to Tokyo in 2018, Pulliam focuses on conceptual street photography, organizing his work around central themes such as mailboxes, slopes, and urban transitions.
Johan Brooks
A photojournalist blending street and documentary photography, Brooks has covered a variety of subjects, including sumo wrestlers (Young Mountains) and firefighters (Fire Corps). His project The Erosion Beneath explores the psychological impact of the pandemic in Japan:
"While Japan has been relatively unscathed compared to other countries, I sought to capture the hidden mental toll through images that distort and isolate individuals in their daily lives."
Kawara Chan
Originally a singer and painter, Kawara Chan found her way into photography through Instagram. She documents everyday life in Tokyo, often focusing on festivals and public events:
"When I observe people on the streets, I feel the intensity and complexity of human energy. Tokyo is a city full of endless discoveries."
Courtesy of So Sasaki | Void Tokyo
VoidTokyo Vol. 7 and the Impact of the Pandemic
The seventh volume of VoidTokyo was published in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of capturing a rapidly transforming Olympic city, the photographers found themselves documenting a new reality shaped by uncertainty and isolation:
"We hope this issue serves as a reflection of our new way of living, where fear of infection has become part of our daily existence."
VoidTokyo Vol. 8: A New Chapter
With its eighth issue, VoidTokyo saw changes in its lineup but remained committed to its core mission of capturing Tokyo from diverse viewpoints. The latest works reflect an evolving perspective on street photography’s role in documenting urban life:
"As we publish more, we hope that viewers will find it easier to understand how Tokyo is changing over time."
INTERSECTIONS Exhibition and Volume 9
VoidTokyo continues to push boundaries. From March 4 to March 16, they are hosting an exhibition at Ginza Hikohiko Gallery, titled INTERSECTIONS, featuring a collaboration between Japanese and Korean street photographers. This exhibition coincides with the release of VoidTokyo Vol. 9: Dialogues, which showcases the works of all participating artists. This event marks a significant step in expanding the collective’s reach and fostering cross-border exchange in street photography.
Conclusion
VoidTokyo remains at the forefront of modern street photography, preserving the essence of Tokyo as it evolves. Their zines and exhibitions highlight how photography serves as both an artistic expression and a means of engaging with the ever-changing urban environment.
