by Jonathan Blaustein

Two months ago, I referred to Daido Moriyama as a woman. My mistake. Let this be my official apology. He is clearly a man, and I was remiss for stating otherwise. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

How could such a thing happen? Well, I’m not omniscient. Despite the fact that his work is everywhere at the moment, (Tate Modern et al) I’d not seen much before I picked up that Okinawa book. And let’s not forget Dido, that New Age singer who was sampled in that classic Eminem song back in ’99. It must have stuck in my head as a woman’s name. (Like any parent knows, accidents happen.)

But I’d love to atone, and see an easy way to do so. I will now tell you of the existence of “Labyrinth,” Mr. Moriyama’s new book, recently published by Aperture. Yes, this week is more show than tell; not quite a straight review. (Even by my absurd standards.)

Why? Because this book consists of hundreds of black and white contact sheets. Only. Thousands of images. Not even an essay, thank the photo gods. Just an endless stream of photographs, presented with the hits next to the misses. As they were shot.

I’m providing a couple of extra photos, so you can feel confident about your prospective purchase. My two cents? Dynamic imagery, innovative concept. (I’m sure if anyone has ever done this before, you’ll tell me. It’s cool nonetheless.) And to you, Mr. Moriyama, you have my apologies. Keep up the good work.

Bottom line: Excellent book, countless photographs

To purchase “Labyrinth” visit Photo-Eye

Full Disclosure: Books are provided by Photo-Eye in exchange for links back for purchase.

Books are found in the bookstore and submissions are not accepted.

 

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4 Comments

  1. “keep up the good work” ?…right.

    this is just Books……

    Documentary 1-5. Published by himself, 1972-73.
    Another Country Published by himself, 1974.
    Tales of Tono. Asahi Sonorama, 1976.
    Japan, A Photo Theater II Asahi Sonorama, 1978.
    Light and Shadow Tojusha, 1982.
    Memories of a Dog – Places in My Memory Asahi Shinbunsha, 1984. (Essays)
    A Dialogue with Photography Seikyūsha, 1985. (Essays)
    A Journey to Nakaji, Sokyusha, 1987.
    Moriyama Daidō 1970-1979 Sokyusha, 1989.
    Lettre a St. Lou Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 1990.
    Daido hysteric No.4 Hysteric Glamour, 1993.
    Color Sokyusha, 1993.
    Daido hysteric No.6 Hysteric Glamour, 1994.
    Japan, A Photo Theater (reprint) Shinchosha, 1995.
    A Dog’s Time Sakuhinsha, 1995.
    Imitation Taka Ishii Gallery, Tokyo, 1995.
    From/ Toward Photography Seikyūsha, 1995. (Essays)
    A Dialogue with Photography (revised) Seikyūsha, 1995. (Essays)
    Daido hysteric Osaka No.8 Hysteric Glamour, 1997.
    Moriyama Daidō Nihon no shashinka 37. Iwanami Shoten, 1997.
    Hunter (reprint) Taka Ishii Gallery, Tokyo, 1997.
    Fragments Composite Press, Tokyo, 1998.
    Memories of a Dog – Places in My Memory, the final Asahi Shinbunsha, 1998. (Essays)
    Passage Wides, 1999.
    Dream of water Sokyusha, 1999.
    Visions of Japan: Daido Moriyama Korinsha, Tokyo, 1999.
    Color 2 Sokyusha, Tokyo, 1999.
    Past is every time new, the future is always nostalgic Seikyūsha, 2000.
    Memories of a Dog – Places in My Memory (revised) Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 2001.
    Memories of a Dog – Places in My Memory, the final (revised) Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 2001.
    The Japanese Box – Facsimile reprint of six rare photographic publications of the Provoke era, Edition 7L / Steidl, 2001.
    Platform Daiwa Radiator Factory and Taka Ishii Gallery, 2002.
    ’71- NY Daido Moriyama PPP Editions, 2002.
    Shinjuku Getsuyosha, 2002.
    transit Eyesencia, 2002.
    Daido Moriyama 55 Phaidon Press, 2002.
    Daido Moriyama, The Complete Works vol. 1, Daiwa Radiator Company, 2003.
    Daido Moriyama: Actes Sud Foundation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, 2003.
    Remix Kamel Mennour, 2004.
    Daido Moriyama Guiding Light, 2004.
    Memories of a Dog Nazraeli Press, 2004.
    Daido Moriyama, The Complete Works vols 2-4, Daiwa Radiator Factory, 2004.
    Wilderness! Parco, 2005.
    Shinjuku 19XX-20XX Codax, 2005.
    Tokyo Reflex New Art Gallery, 2005.
    Buenos Aires Kodansha, 2005.
    Lettre a St. Lou Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 2005.
    Shinjuku Plus Getsuyosha, 2006.
    Record no. 6 Akio Nagasawa, 2006.
    t-82, PowerShovelBooks, 2006.
    it, Rat Hole, 2006.
    Farewell Photography, PowerShovelBooks, 2006.
    Snap (Record extra issue No. 1) Akio Nagasawa, 2007.
    Record no. 8 Akio Nagasawa, 2007.
    Kagero & Colors, PowerShovelBooks, 2007.
    Hawaii Getsuyosha, 2007.
    Osaka Plus Getsuyosha, 2007.
    Erotica, Asahi Shinbunsha, 2007.
    Record no. 7 Akio Nagasawa, 2007.
    Tales of Tono Kobunsha, 2007.
    Yashi Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris, and Taka Ishii Gallery, Tokyo, 2008.

  2. Wow. Wonderful photography.

    I think I might have to buy that book.

  3. Araki’s “Subway” is sort of similar in that it consists largely of segments of contact sheets.

  4. Apology accepted Ms. Blaustein :)

    He has recently published another couple of books too, one his color work, and just this week I saw another of his black and white. Both are well worth looking at, even though the quality of the books themselves is not very good—typical for printed in Japan photography books.


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