Latest Araki Article Translation

A very kind friend here in Edmonton translated the article for me, here is the latest version and last version I will post:

( Netherlands Online Special Contribution ) If the Japanese prostitutes under Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki photographic lens stimulates the limitation of the sensory world by exuding a feeling of  erotic sensual enjoyment, and indulgence, set in a bizarre and delicious medium as human body sashimi, then the Thai prostitutes under Canadian photographer Gerry Yaum’s photographic lens are completely removed of this erotic layer of icing . They (the Thai prostitutes) stood rigidly in front of the lens, faces expressionless, their body rigid as if every part is undergoing an ultra- high-precision scanning down to their hair standing up like daggers. All that was missing is a thin layer of plastic film like saran wrap and then a black and white bar code and thus they can be put on the shelf and sold. Obviously, Yaum 's works takes away the audiences’ romantic imagination of sex workers and pornography.  In his images, the prostitutes are reduced to a commodity to be sold.  Though very cruel, but to some extent, Yaum’s images is a closer representation of the essence of the sex industry than Nobuyoshi Araki 's work.

At times rather flowery language but to be included in a story with Araki comparing my style to his, is fricking great, it cannot get much better than that. Its cool because of the Araki comparison and its also cool because the story is right on in the description of the differences in our work. I studied Nobuyoshi Araki for years before making the sex worker photos and was trying to do exactly what the journalist wrote. I wanted the work to be realistic and not make everyone look like they are having such a wonderful time. I wanted the photos to be true to the real sex worker experience. No one dreams to work as prostitute, the goal was to show that true reality and not do a series of photos that reinforced the male fantasy's.

Here is the original article again from the Chinese news site, the story was also picked up by numerous other Chinese sites and blogs.
It was written by journalist and author, Miss Wang Bang 作者：王梆

http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1021913

I also added some Araki YouTube stuff, a documentary on his work (Japanese language), a link to  one of his shows in London and general link to a ton more vids. People seem fixated on his bondage photos but the guy has shot so much more, over 200 photo books, world wide exhibitions etc. He is probably amongst the top 10 most famous photographers in the world, maybe even top 5. What you see in the documentary is his great sense of fun and humour, you can quickly understand how he puts his subjects at ease.

Mr. Nobuyoshi Araki

Japanese Documentary (Arakimentari)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuQI6mkD7mg

London Show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM8nf_KRYTU

More Araki vids:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=araki+nobuyoshi

Update* One more short fun Araki compilation vid, him using every camera imaginable, all types of subjects, and shooting shooting shooting. Photography should be more like this, a joyful experience!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHJNmP7bCC0

Update** Here is another Chinese webpage with a link to the same story as above. These things really spread quickly, there are a number of blogs and websites that have the same article.

http://dy.163.com/article/T1379063653955/9PFOELOD00964KM3.html