Izima Kaoru is a Japanese fashion photographer currently working in Tokyo. He is widely recognized around the world for his dazzling images of supermodels that have died in a tragic way. “The models are perfectly coiffed, hair and makeup flawlessly in place, outfitted in couture by Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Jil Sander Jean Paul Gaultier.” (Alan Wheatley Art) He always titles his work with the name of the model as well as the name of the designer she is wearing. The images are usually highly sexualized, possibly saying something about the fashion industry by making the designer clothing such an important part of the work.
Kaoru’s work gives an interesting twist to his narratives that I had not previously thought about. He allows his models to create their own stories and decide their wardrobe, and in turn he uses his creative ability to bring those stories to life. I want my images to have the air of mystery his do. When looking at his images, besides the fact that the subject is dead, the viewer has many questions to ask such as how it happened, who did it, and why they did it. I want to create the who, what, when, where, and how questions about my work by presenting these beautiful yet unusual scenes that do not reveal the entire story, but just frame within the story.
Quotes:
"It’s a successful concept to direct the attention to the fashion labels he is working for."
"I think we should not avoid death because we are scared of it but take it as something more peaceful and beautiful, by being conscious of it as a matter close to everyone. What I want to say here is that the “tragic corpse” can be something disgusting or to feel sorry for but the spirit of the body is most likely already free from the physical pain and is free and in peace. I [feel] that I visualize such a spiritual concept. I am imagining the point of view of the dead’s spirit."
Gallery
A website for the artist could not be found
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