4/15 7PM: An Evening with Visual Storytellers: Celebrating the Awards of Chen Chuanduan and Kazuhiko Matsumura
©Kyoto Shimbun Kazuhiko Matsumura / Heartstrings
©Chen Chuanduan / Belly of The Giant Serpent
At the RPS KYOTO PAPEROLES, we are honored to host an evening celebrating the achievements of Chen Chuanduan and Kazuhiko Matsumura, both recipients of significant awards in the realm of photography. Together, we will gather around these talented artists, delving into their award-winning works and the narratives they convey.
Yumi Goto, serving as the curator for RPS KYOTO PAPEROLES, had the privilege of being one of the judges for the Three Shadows Photography Award. Chen Chuanduan’s remarkable achievement was duly recognized, and during the award ceremony, she remarked on his work as follows: “I am not merely interested in artworks that showcase acquired skills and experiences. Rather, I am intrigued by pieces that hint at truths humanity must not forget, realities we cannot overlook, and lessons we must internalize. If such elements are subtly woven into the work, if the expression is necessary for conveying these messages effectively, then it deserves recognition.”
Additionally, Kazuhiko Matsumura, who has been serving as the chief of the RPS KYOTO PAPEROLES since its inception, was chosen as the regional winner in the Open Format category of this year’s World Press Photo Contest. The judges commented on his work, stating, “We were deeply impressed by the photographer’s thoughtful choices in presenting a unique perspective on dementia in Japan. The dignified portrayal and incorporation of a cultural perspective contribute to a consistent style throughout the project. Each conceptual decision goes beyond aesthetics, effectively narrating the story with a visual vernacular, mood, and symbols rooted in Japanese culture and photographic tradition. “
A commonality between these two artists lies in their utilization of an open format that transcends traditional boundaries of photographic expression. They employ their unique perspectives and interpretations to craft imagery imbued with metaphorical power, rooted in facts and testimonies, ultimately conveyed through visual storytelling.
We look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions about the necessity of new photographic expressions and the aspects that garnered recognition for each of their works. We hope this evening will be a time of enriching dialogue for all participants.
Additionally, Chen Chuanduan will be offering a limited number of copies of his self-produced photo book, “Belly of The Giant Serpent,” for sale during the event. Furthermore, we have prepared copies of Matsumura Kazuhiko’s newsprint, “Heartstrings,” which he produced during last spring’s KYOTOGRAPHIE, for attendees to take home.
Date: Monday, April 15, 2024, from 7:00 PM
Venue: RPS Kyoto Paperoles
603 Oimatsu-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City
Nearest Bus Stop: Kamishichiken or Senbon-Imadegawa
Inquiries: paperoles@reminders-project.org
Guests:
Chen Chuanduan (Recipient of the 2024 Three Shadows Photography Award)
Kazuhiko Matsumura (The Asian Regional Winner in the Open Format category of World Press Photo)
Moderator: Yumi Goto (RPS KYOTO PAPEROLES Curator)
Additional Information:
On the day of the event, we will also be hosting the photo exhibition “Calm” by Yoshikatsu Fujii.
We are currently seeking volunteers to assist with Chinese to Japanese interpretation during the event. If you are interested, please contact the email address provided above.
About Guest:
Chen Chuanduan (Recipient of the 2024 Three Shadows Photography Award)
©Chen Chuanduan / Belly of The Giant Serpent
Statement:
Belly of The Giant Serpent
This collection documents an unexpected journey during my travels, in a place called Norgris Town, where I spent the last days of winter. The Daltons, who have three children, took me in during my stay, but it was the peculiar pre-dinner prayer that piqued my curiosity. After expressing gratitude for trees, crops, and all animals, people would end it with a phrase – “The world lies within the belly of a giant serpent.”
Retired teacher Patrick told me about the town’s history. Back in the 1990s, a meteorite fell in Norgris, and it had scales like a snake. Children who touched it were said to be protected from illness and danger; they found shelter within its presence. Patrick strongly believed that the origin of the universe followed a similar pattern: dust coalesced into the shape of a serpent, then curled up to form planets, giving birth to life and civilizations.
The priest would hold a ceremony before spring arrived, and during those days, supernatural occurrences blurred the lines of my memory. These included seeing indistinct faces outside my window, experiencing intense physical pain, and dreaming of being covered in scales from head to toe.
I no longer have the opportunity to return to Norgris, or perhaps Norgris does not exist. Within the belly of the giant serpent is a digestive fluid. For a certain period, I see the world enclosed, immersed within unquestionable walls.
Profile Photo Courtesy of: Chen Chuanduan
Profile:
Chen Chuanduan (born 1994), his academic focus primarily centers around Entrepreneurship and Innovation Education, Nature Education, Biophilia, & Topophilia. Using photography and charting as his mediums, he explores the connection between humans and nature, and the call of contemporary life. He is fascinated by natural science and supernatural phenomena, with a particular penchant for the imaginary.
He has independently published photography books titled “Restrained Orders,” “Belly of The Giant Serpent,” “Adventures,” “Like Run Come Run Go,” and “Restorative Topophilia.” Chen Chuanduan’s work was recognized among the “TOP20·2019 Emerging Contemporary Chinese Photographers,” and “TSPA·2024 Three Shadows Photography Award.” Additionally, he has held solo exhibitions, including “Voice in the Wilderness,” “Rootless Hymn,” “This Land Heals Me,” and “Restrained Orders.”
Kazuhiko Matsumura (The Asian Regional Winner in the Open Format category of World Press Photo)
©Kyoto Shimbun Kazuhiko Matsumura / Heartstrings
Statement:Heartstrings
We are entering an era where everyone, including ourselves and those close to us, may experience dementia. In Japan, it is predicted that by 2025, the number of elderly individuals with dementia will reach approximately 7 million. However, my intention is not solely to convey what I have learned about dementia. I also want to share what I have learned from dementia itself.
It has served as a warning to society, a thread connecting hearts, and a form of communication without words.
Even in the midst of life and death, in transient moments, and in mere glances, there was brilliance.
What do we consider happiness?
What do we perceive as unhappiness?
What does our society deem as happiness, and what does it regard as unhappiness?
What kind of society should we strive to create to find happiness?
Profile Photo Courtesy of: Kazuhiko Matsumura
Profile:
Born in 1980, Kazuhiko Matsumura joined the Kyoto Shimbun newspaper as a journalist in 2003. In 2005, he transitioned into photojournalism, focusing on themes such as “life,” “social security,” and “care.” His work extensively covers dementia, with contributions including newspaper series, magazine articles, and the exhibition “Heartstrings,” held at KG+SELECT in 2022. The exhibition received the Grand Prize, leading to a showcase of the same name at KYOTOGRAPHIE in spring 2023.
His photographic projects include “Subtle Beauty” (2014, Kyoto Shimbun Publishing Center), depicting the lives of Kyoto’s geiko and maiko, as well as “Guru Guru ~My Transmigration~” (2016, self-published), which explores the connections of life through the experiences of his family’s life and death. His previous work, “Elusive Rainbow,” traced Japan’s social security history through the life of Dr. Kazuteru Hayakawa. In spring 2019, he held a photography exhibition at KG+. He received an honorable mention in the 2021 edition of the New Cosmos of Photography Award.