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2019, 2023

CAN THERE BE SHADOWS WITHIN A FLASH 

Silver gelatin chemigram (toy Enola Gay, sunlight, honey, various oils)

Installation: Various (108 8 x 10 in. prints)

Can There be Shadows within a Flash is a series that acknowledges the complexities of identity within the context of historical traumas, finding strength in shared histories while honoring their unique individuality, and shedding light on the invisible scars left by radiation within the framework of cultural heritage. Through the fusion of personal narratives, cultural symbols, and artistic expression, this project endeavors to create a profound impact on society, inspiring dialogue, understanding, and a collective commitment to embracing the richness of identities amidst the shadows of the past. May this project not only heal the charred trauma but also illuminate the path toward a future where diverse identities are celebrated, respected, and cherished.

K

E

I

 

I

T

O

2019,2023

CAN THERE BE SHADOWS WITHIN A FLASH 

Silver gelatin chemigram (toy Enola Gay, sunlight, honey, various oils)

Installation: Various (108 8 x 10 in. prints)

Can There be Shadows within a Flash is a series that acknowledges the complexities of identity within the context of historical traumas, finding strength in shared histories while honoring their unique individuality, and shedding light on the invisible scars left by radiation within the framework of cultural heritage. Through the fusion of personal narratives, cultural symbols, and artistic expression, this project endeavors to create a profound impact on society, inspiring dialogue, understanding, and a collective commitment to embracing the richness of identities amidst the shadows of the past. May this project not only heal the charred trauma but also illuminate the path toward a future where diverse identities are celebrated, respected, and cherished.

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© 2023 by Kei Ito.
Created on Editor X.

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Sungazing

2015 - Ongoing

108 of 8”x10” prints, Scroll: 12” x 150’ to 220’ depending on the edition

On August 6th 1945, at 8:15 AM, my grandfather witnessed a great tragedy that destroyed nearly everything in Hiroshima. He survived the bombing, yet he lost many of his family members from the explosion and radiation poisoning. As an activist and author, my grandfather fought against the use of nuclear weaponry throughout his life, until he too passed away from cancer when I was ten years old. I remember him saying that day in Hiroshima was like hundreds of suns lighting up the sky.

 

In order to express the connection between the sun and my family history, I have created 108 letter size prints and a 200 foot long scroll, made by exposing Type-C photographic paper to sunlight. The pattern on the prints/scroll corresponds to my breath. In a darkened room, I pulled the paper in front of a small aperture to expose it to the sun while inhaling, and paused when exhaling. I repeated this action until I breathed 108 times. 108 is a number with ritual significance in Japanese Buddhism; to mark the Japanese New Year, bells toll 108 times, ridding us of our evil passions and desires, and purifying our souls.

 

If the black parts of the print remind you of a shadow, it is the shadow of my breath, which is itself a registration of my life, a life I share with and owe to my grandfather. The mark of the atomic blast upon his life and upon his breath was passed on to me, and you can see it as the shadow of this print.

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