Momoko Allard's photographs create seemingly spectral portraits of the passengers and surrounding landscapes viewed from the Chuo train line in and around Tokyo, Japan. In order to respect the etiquette expected, Allard photographed the images of the other passengers reflected in the windows of the train, sometimes obscuring the camera with her hand.
Utilising the windows of the train as mirrors she has attempted to capture "the feeling of numbness and repressed time that defined this daily visited space". Usually she stood between 1 and 4 metres from the subject. Her choice of 28 and 50 mm lenses caused a greater impression of space than was actually the case.
This close proximity of the subjects lead to use the mirror reflections to hide her photographic activities. She said that in only one case that she knows of did a subject notice her photographing him, but said nothing. Although Allard was using reflection as a strategic device while taking these photographs, she says that reflections have appeared in other work of hers.
Originally trained as a painter, Allard feels that photography puts her in closer relationship to the subject, especially as she can photograph in a real environment rather than having to work in a studio.
Allard doesn't feel she will continue this series, but she does intend to continue examining how very isolated individuals try to negotiate through space, and how patterns and structures operate in space.
Bibliography
Allard, Momoko. Solitary Crowding, artist's statement downloaded 15 August, 2009
Photo courtesy momokoallard.com
1 comment:
Fascinating.
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