Tokihiro Sato to speak at SoFA

Originally trained as a sculptor, Tokihiro Sato has been a photographer since the late 1980s. He is one of Japan’s best-known artists for photography and a professor at the Tokyo University of Arts.

On Friday, Sato will bring his latest series, which he describes as “photo respiration,” and the technique behind it to IU when he speaks at 4 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building.

“Tokihiro’s photography is not traditional,” said James Nakagawa, associate professor of photography. “He sculpts and constructs his images using light that in the end creates a photograph. By keeping the shutter open for sometimes an hour, light, paint, mirrors and the camera record where he has been.”

By manipulating light, points or illuminated lines, Sato’s movement is recorded through space. The resulting photos capture the image interrupted by the light the artist has reflected back into the lens, but Sato himself is never captured in the photo.

“He’s using photography as a medium but views himself as a sculptor,” said Rowland Ricketts, assistant professor of textile and studio arts. “He has an interesting perspective. Typically artists are trained in a medium and stay focused on that.”

Ricketts said some of Sato’s images are street scenes from Tokyo, similar to those of Times Square, yet there are no people. 

“When he’s taking these, there are people all around and people frantically helping, but the end result is very calm,” Ricketts said. “The making of the photo is a very different spectacle.”

In addition to a speech, Master of Fine Arts students will experience a rare opportunity to have Sato individually critique their work Saturday.

“It is exciting to be able to have access to a world-renowned working artist,” said Garrett Hansen, an IU MFA alumnus and teaching fellow. “It’s great to have someone outside of the IU community critiquing their work.  He has made a life making art, and it is interesting to hear about that.”

Nakagawa invites everyone to attend, including students and residents who may have never heard of Sato before.

“Just come, even if you don’t know what he will discuss,” Nakagawa said. “It is a rare occasion that we get this caliber of an artist from Japan.”