I've been a fan of Hiroshi Sugimoto's work since discovering it in the early 1990's. Although his work had him travelling constantly, Sugimoto had been based in New York City for decades. Recently, he has spent four years building a studio in Tokyo [as well?] instead [?]
Even if you haven't followed his work, this interview in I.D. Magazine will be enlightening, but also sad:
Q. What effect did the tragedy have on your work, and on your attitude toward the U.S.?Q+A Hiroshi Sugimoto [idonline.com]
I have mixed feelings. Everything has changed since 9/11óit's no longer the America I used to know. Americans have become very aggressive and nationalistic. As far as my work is concerned, when I first settled in the U.S., there was a feeling of freedom as an artist. But now, I can't travel with my work without having X-ray problems, especially when it comes to big sheet-film, which is so seldom used. At the airport I'm always ordered to open the box to show what's inside. So I'm retiring from photography. Digital photography? I don't use it because it's too easy. [Chuckles]
A retrospective of Sugimoto's work is on display at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi through Jan. 9, and an exhibit curated by the artist is in NYC at The Japan Society through Jan. 8.
Previously: greg.org on Sugimoto
