Riki Nihongi -''The truth is in you'' Interview with Moments Collective

Interviews with worldwide photographers www.moments-collective.

@Riki Nihongi

Your professional background involves working as both an editor and salesperson for a civil engineering journal. How do you balance these responsibilities with your creative pursuits in photography?

Engaging in creative activities and working as an editor and salesperson in the

publishing industry have played a significant role in shaping my personality.

Although these two fields may seem separate at first glance, for me, they

constitute a single path. They resonate with each other, sharpening my sensibilities and making me aware of things I hadn't noticed before, leading to new discoveries.

I achieve balance through the expansive nature of my intellectual curiosity,

pondering how my perspectives will continue to broaden.

@Riki Nihongi

Your upcoming trip to Paris and Athens in 2024 to study markets and cultures seems intriguing. How do you envision incorporating the insights gained from this experience into your creative endeavors and the goal of fostering cultural understanding through art?

Learning about cultures and markets and honing my insights through direct

experience is a crucial endeavor.

This act will contribute to deepening my understanding of the people I will

encounter in my future creative activities, as well as those I am already engaged

with. Sharing what I learn will promote mutual understanding across different

fields, fostering a society where interactions contribute to its existence, rather

than one that is divided. Recognizing that society is not a closed system, I

believe in maintaining hope and trust, promoting mutual activities, and creating a

dynamic flow.

@Riki Nihongi

https://valefyachts.com/

Your photography concept revolves around the theme of "illusions" and the idea that not everything is fully visible. Could you share a specific instance or photograph where this concept is particularly evident, and what emotions or thoughts you hope it evokes in viewers?

I will highlight a single piece of work to elaborate on this topic.

The reactions of people who see this piece are filled with curiosity, asking, "What

is this?" as their eyes widen.

The subject captured in this piece is the wrinkles on a bed cover.

When I reveal this, everyone is surprised, saying, "Ohhh, wrinkles!"

I don't necessarily aim to have people appreciate how beautiful wrinkles on a

bed cover can be; instead, I hope to make them more interested in the act of

seeing.

So far, I believe my efforts are going well, as it seems that everyone has made

their own discoveries through viewing my work.

@Riki Nihongi

https://www.haec.gr/en/academics/graduate-programs

The act of "seeing" is central to your photography philosophy. How do you approach capturing moments that challenge conventional ways of seeing, and what techniques or tools do you employ to convey this in your work?

I approach the act of "seeing" through various formats, including digital, 35mm,

6x6, 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10.

I don't employ any particularly special techniques when capturing images.

I simply look through the viewfinder and press the shutter. In the printing

process, I only make minor adjustments to the contrast and brightness, and not

much else.

Transitioning between different formats sharpens my sensibilities, making me

aware of things I hadn't noticed before. Each format serves as a compass guiding me on my own path.

@Riki Nihongi

Your first solo exhibition featured prints from 35mm black and white film. How has your technique or approach evolved since then, and what can audiences expect from your upcoming exhibition featuring prints from 35mm to 8x10 sheet film?

My first solo exhibition featured prints from 35mm film. Afterward, I began

creating works across various formats. Initially, I hadn't considered exhibiting

works ranging from 35mm to 8x10, but the seamless transition between them

felt right for me. This allowed me to observe things more deeply compared to

when I exclusively shot in 35mm, enabling me to capture images that delve

closer to the essence of the subject.

For my second solo exhibition scheduled for April next year, attendees won't

know which format the exhibited prints will be. I hope people will attend the

second exhibition and any subsequent ones with curiosity. I believe I can offer

everyone new discoveries.

@Riki Nihongi

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In exploring the "invisible world" through photography, you mention the challenge of grasping the whole picture. Can you elaborate on a specific project or image where this challenge was particularly pronounced, and how you navigated it creatively?

I would like to highlight a single piece of work to elaborate on this topic.

This work is one of the pieces exhibited in my first solo exhibition.

I captured it during a stroll, not by chance, though.

This may be hard to believe, but I feel that I was summoned to this place.

It was a residence for homeless people.

When I arrived, there was graffiti on the pillars, trash scattered around, a lone chair, and sunlight shining into the area. Then, a small bird happened to land on

this spot to rest its wings.

Through this sight, I felt the concept of "impermanence," a Zen term meaning

that things are constantly changing and evolving.

Everything is in a perpetual state of flux. Even when we think we haven't

changed, we undergo subtle transformations. With this experience, I realized

that the world continues to evolve.

I believe that photography is both an art and a tool for grasping the whole

picture. Each work is like a leaf or a branch, and when the pieces come together,

they form a large tree. Through this process, I believe we can understand how

the entirety is interconnected.

https://www.magzter.com/publishers/NEXUS-PUBLICATIONS-AE

@Riki Nihongi

Your belief in art as a language that promotes understanding is compelling. How do you see your role as a photographer contributing to this language, especially in the context of the diverse cultures and markets you encounter through your travels and work?

My creative endeavors have provided me with more opportunities to encounter

new people and perspectives. Even if someone speaks a different language, that

person can still be understood through their artwork. This understanding gives

us a chance to develop an interest in culture and other things while broadening

our perspectives.

For me, the role of a photographer is to bring others together through creative

activities. I believe that the world is full of things we may not have ever imagined.

My role is therefore to unravel these unimaginable possibilities and promote

mutual understanding.

@Riki Nihongi

Photography is often seen as a medium to document reality. How do you balance the documentary aspect of your work with the more abstract and conceptual elements tied to the theme of "illusions"?

It is true that photography involves documenting reality.

While the underlying theme of my creations is "illusions," this might initially evoke

thoughts of something unrealistic, seemingly diverging from the conventional

concept of photography. However, I don't see it that way.

I am in fact capturing reality. So, why do I focus on the theme "illusions"? I

believe that many people, including myself, tend to assume that they see reality.

However, photography shines light on the fact that there are things we hadn't

seen before, even when we thought we were aware of the reality.

Therefore, recognizing that what we see is only a part of the picture and not the

entirety, I chose the word "illusions" as it aligns with my creative process. I

haven't actively thought about how to balance the documentary aspect; it

naturally falls into place. (*Laughing*)

https://www.all-about-photo.com/photo-contests/photo-contest/3166/moments-collective-annual-exhibition-2024

@Riki Nihongi

The concept of "seeing" leading to understanding, sparking interest, and deepening connections is fascinating. How do you hope your audience engages with your work, and what impact do you aspire your photography to have on individuals and communities?

What everyone seems to be expecting of my work is whether it can act as a

trigger that brings awareness to things they hadn't noticed before and whether

it can offer a dynamic space.

Personally, through my creative activities, I want to communicate to communities

and individuals that oneʼs perspective can broaden and lead to an infinite

expansion of possibilities if one desires.