Culcher Vulcher: Eikoh Hosoe

I've been Culcher Vulchering myself silly down here in Sydney. Asides from the quotidian pleasures of the endless alleys (one of which was ruled by cats, a sign told me so) I've been visiting some galleries too.

Plenty of little tid-bits will follow, but I'll start with the loser of the litter.

The Eikoh Hosoe; Theatre of Memory exhibition is tucked away in the back of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. When I went it was empty. There was a bevvy of schoolkids screaming outside, but I doubt they were there to see it. More likely the new addition to the museum, the John Kaldor Family Gallery downstairs. 

Which is a shame, since Eikoh Hosoe's work, while being a dark and strange, is magnificent in it's exploration of beauty in unexpected forms.

Eikoh Hosoe, Untitled, Tohoku, 1965. From the series Kamaitachi. 

Many of the included works are of Butoh artist Kazuo Ohno.

Kazuo Ohno by Eikoh Hosoe

Familar? Ohno is featured on the album cover of Antony and The Johnsons' The Crying Light (photograph not by Hosoe).

Kazuo Ohno. Portrait by Naoya Ikegami.

Hosoe has also photographed one of my favourite authors, Yukio Mishima.

Ordeal by Roses (Barakei) #32 by Eikoh Hosoe

A photo which was in turn homaged by one of my favourite musical artists, Kate Bush.

Sensual World. Album cover.

The exhibit also has come fantastic photography of Butoh dance performances, such as below:

Ukiyo-e projections #2-27 2003 (detail). 

So if you're around, go and have a look. I'm sure the poor, slightly scared looking security guard could use some company.