SOUVENIR SHOP

SOUVENIR SHOP – The series of photographs was created for the artist’s 16-year-old daughter Mannat, inspired by her haikus and deep fascination with Japan. The project began in 2023 during their inaugural trip to Japan. The artist aimed to create an intimate relationship. memory to take back to India, capturing the feelings and emotions experienced during their travels in Japan and reflecting on the mutual influence and interpretation of cultures. Mannat’s discovery of Japanese popular culture began with the Studio Ghibli films, which he directed. developed into a fascination with Japanese writers such as Haruki Murakami and Kazuo Ishiguro. These influences have profoundly shaped his point of view. During two extended trips to Japan between 2023 and 2024, the artist developed a multi-layered series of photographs, inspired by conversations with Mannat and his ideas. The project evolved into a diverse collection of images, including documentation, collages, sculptures and paintings on photographs. Various souvenirs collected during these journeys have also been integrated into the artwork, creating a narrative that links fantasy, fiction and reality. This undertaking represents the artist’s interpretation of Japan, seen through the prism of a father-daughter journey. Ultimately, the project’s vast collection will be transformed into a book, accompanied by Mannat’s haiku-inspired poetry, serving as a tangible memento. Not only does it commemorate their experiences, it is also a legacy of the interaction of cultures and the enduring power of artistic expression. Signed copy