CUSTOMIZED BY SATOSHI MINAKAWA
2009-01-05In contrast to the usual minimalism that we see from Japanese designers and artists, Satoshi Minakawa presents photos of excentric customizations of Japanese vehicles.
“In shot after shot, Minakawa presents vehicles that look as if they came straight off some deranged kabuki set. Nothing looks as if it was ever meant for anything so mundane as road transportation. Gaudy gold fins are welded to the boot of two-wheeler carts. Trucks are festooned with blinding neon signs, their every surface plastered with kanji script and strobe lights. Meanwhile, the fleet of motorbikes and scooters are painted in a resplendent rainbow of glossy blues, reds and blacks; some are even adorned with stylized eyes on the fender.
The overall effect is one of manga Transformers, a split second before they unfold, unclip and spring into life.”
The photographers work is on show at The Printspace in East London, until January 14th.
The Printspace
74 Kingsland Road
London E2 8DL
