Hiroshi Sugimoto walks us through 'Time Machine' at UCCA Beijing

Hiroshi Sugimoto walks us through 'Time Machine' at UCCA Beijing

Hiroshi Sugimoto walks us through his solo exhibition 'Time Machine' at UCCA Beijing. Often employing a large-format camera, mixing his own darkroom chemicals and developing his gelatin black-and-white prints by hand, Sugimoto continues to explore in-depth themes and practices of photography from the 19th century onwards, including subjects such as dioramas, wax figures and architecture. In the process, his work has stretched and rearranged concepts of time, space and light that are integral to the medium. In addition to key works from the artist’s major photographic series such as Seascapes, Theaters, Lightning Fields and Portraits, this retrospective exhibition also presents a newly created series of calligraphic works to the public for the first time.

These works highlight the artist’s philosophical yet playful inquiry into our understanding of time and memory, and the ambiguous character of photography as a medium suited to both documentation and invention. Whilst best known as a photographer, Sugimoto has recently added architecture and sculpture to his multidisciplinary practice and has been the art director and producer of several theatre and stage performances. 

'Hiroshi Sugimoto: Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form' will run from 15 November 2024 – 11 January 2025 at Lisson Gallery in Los Angeles.