“Heisei Boxed Humans Picture Book”
I thought, yeah, I’ve got it made, now that I’ve matured, slyness has crept into my ways of thinking. But suddenly, the camera weight that used to be a part of my body is much heavier and seems to dig into my shoulder bones. It’s not that difficult to feel young, but to use the physical capacity you need to continue creating youthful pieces takes a lot of energy. I can’t help realizing that a large part of Mr. Araki’s magnitude comes from his ability to sustain his energy. This award is the voice of God telling me to regain my drive, get into shape, and pursue possibilities with a renewed mentality. I will believe in the words that continuance is power and simply keep moving forward. <to my wife Mihoko, get ready> Ahh, there’s still a long ways to go, many thanks.
Selecting judge: Kotaro Iizawa
A strong, mature work of a veteran creator who always submits works of a stable level. He excellently established the silent drama that arises within the closed confines of an elevator. Placing the visual angle in a high position was a nice twist, putting the spectator in an unstable frame of mind. He has selected a place that symbolizes urban space, expressing it with experienced skill.
