Cherry Blossom

It was in 1994 that Bruce Gilden first landed in Japan thanks to the support of the Villa Medici. During this trip, which will be followed by 3 others Until 2001, he explored the meanders of streets of a country that has always fascinated him. The photographer unhesitatingly cites the Japanese photography exhibition of MoMA in 1974, entitled "New Japanese Photography", as one of its most important sources of inspiration. From Tokyo to Osaka, he discovers the metropolises Japanese with its very particular way of photographing. Each image is a encounter, very close, powerful, which hides a story. Gilden's work is made like this, he approaches, speaks, tells, photographs and creates the painting of a unique street scene. Looking for personalities as strong as the his, Gilden will transcribe his vision of Japan thanks to the details which surround him: the suit of one man, the hat of another, or even the posture of a woman. All these elements, which give strength to the images, form a whole. striking, on the edge, like him. In Cherry Blossom, the American photographer tells in writing in an introductory text, which is rare, the story of these travels and the links he maintains with Japan. The stories that live on in parallel to these images, whether it is an anecdote or a dialogue with the characters, make the vision of the American photographer even more contemporary than ever.