3.10.11
20.9.11
893 MAGAZINE
My copy of Anton Kusters' 893 MAGAZINE is finally here. The photography is amazing - not in the sense of great angles or effects, it is more about the mood each and every one of the photo capture. Can't wait till the next issue.
More information about this book/project, check out my previous post titled : Capturing Yakuza – Anton Kusters.
14.9.11
Capturing Yakuza - Anton Kusters
Recently, a dear friend from London sent me a link to a website. A website of a photographer with a very unique project. The project is called 893 - Yakuza. His name is Anton Kusters.
These are his words about this project...
893-Yakuza is a personal visual account of the life inside an inaccessible subculture: a traditional Japanese crime family that controls the streets of Kabukicho, in the heart of Tokyo, Japan.
Through many months of delicate preparations and negotiations by my brother Malik, our fixer Takasan, and myself, we became the only westerners ever to be granted this kind of access to that closed world.
With a mix of photography, film, writing and graphic design, I try to share not only their extremely complex relationship to Japanese society, and also to show the personal struggle that each family member faces: being forced to live in two different worlds at the same time; worlds that often have conflicting morals and values… It turns out not to be a simple ‘black’ versus ‘white’ relationship, but most definitely one with many shades of grey.
Preparations started in 2008, and access was granted in april 2009, for two years. The project is now at full speed, with all elements of the story being produced as we speak. in 2011 and 2012, several magazine issues (893 Magazine), a photo book (ODO YAKUZA TOKYO, sold out in less than 5 weeks), a documentary feature film, and a large exhibition will become reality.
Excerpts from his book/website.
Meet Soichiro.
He has agreed to us getting to know each other. Through the barriers of different languages and cultures, we will be approaching each other with the broadest possible open mind. To learn, to tell our stories. To gain trust and to share views.
These are his words about this project...
893-Yakuza is a personal visual account of the life inside an inaccessible subculture: a traditional Japanese crime family that controls the streets of Kabukicho, in the heart of Tokyo, Japan.
Through many months of delicate preparations and negotiations by my brother Malik, our fixer Takasan, and myself, we became the only westerners ever to be granted this kind of access to that closed world.
With a mix of photography, film, writing and graphic design, I try to share not only their extremely complex relationship to Japanese society, and also to show the personal struggle that each family member faces: being forced to live in two different worlds at the same time; worlds that often have conflicting morals and values… It turns out not to be a simple ‘black’ versus ‘white’ relationship, but most definitely one with many shades of grey.
Preparations started in 2008, and access was granted in april 2009, for two years. The project is now at full speed, with all elements of the story being produced as we speak. in 2011 and 2012, several magazine issues (893 Magazine), a photo book (ODO YAKUZA TOKYO, sold out in less than 5 weeks), a documentary feature film, and a large exhibition will become reality.
Excerpts from his book/website.
He has agreed to us getting to know each other. Through the barriers of different languages and cultures, we will be approaching each other with the broadest possible open mind. To learn, to tell our stories. To gain trust and to share views.
—
Soichiro and his family control Kabukicho, in the heart of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Not much happens in the streets without his approval.
—
After more than 10 months of preparation and ground work by my brother and our dear friend Taka-san, finally, for the first time, we all meet over dinner. At first, Soichiro lays down the rules. Tells us what we want to achieve is near impossible. He says that the things we want to document, no outsider has ever been allowed to bear witness to. We eat, drink, smoke, and exchange gifts.
—
He invites us to his office. we talk some more. I show previous work, I show prints of Oaxaca and I show prints of “Sugar”. He tells me I photograph with a Japanese eye. He laughs when we ask if it’s true that all family members have tattoos, and if it’s painful to get one.
Then he shows his.
Each tattoo is so personal, he says, full of meaning to the bearer and his family. Only Sensei Horikyo tattoos for his family.
—
No rush. He understands and wants us to take time to get to know his family, time to develop our view. He believes in our way of working, and is confident we will bring this to a good end. He thinks in years, not days or weeks or months.
He does a lot of legwork in his family. Even though he his a boss, he still speaks to his bosses who in turn speak with their bosses. Within two days, we are invited to witness a closed meeting. Four members apologizing to the family for being in jail. My brother and I are nervous as hell going in.
No pictures allowed yet, but now we know. Soichiro walked the walk and committed. Our project has begun for the next couple of years. My brother and I… and Soichiro. Becoming friends, telling the story… I hope everything will work out.
I’ve worked all day to prepare everything. Made galleries on my portable; made prints at Yodobashi Camera. Wrapped everything up nicely to present to him. When we meet at his office around 11pm, Soichiro, my brother, and I go through the whole collection of images i have made up till that point. I’m nervous as hell.
Slowly we go through every gallery, every image… Once in a while he flags one because he wants to ask a question or he wants me to make a print of it. To be presented to the subject on the photo… as a gift. This moment, the first showing of the images, the big first moment, “Are they going to like it? Will they approve?”, actually goes by without a glitch.
I also tell him i’m slowly starting to see the way i want to tell the story, so i show him my first sequenced spread layout on screen. only 20 images. I talk about my views, what i have seen, what i have learned, and that i am setting the mood in this “first chapter”. He agrees and thinks i should continue in the same way.
—
I’m in the front seat, riding with Soichiro in his car on his way to Shinjuku. “One cuts off one’s finger to make a point”, Soichiro explains while driving. “Usually to show the sincerity of an apology after doing something wrong.”
“You cut off a single digit of your own finger in a ceremonial way, while facing your boss, and then you present the severed finger on a folded napkin to him. It reinforces the power of your apology. It shows that you’re serious about what you’re saying.”
Somehow, i don’t feel like questioning that.
The family is in charge of organizing the service. Before dawn, they set up a room with a white shrine and flowers… the family name as well as the person’s own name is displayed above.
Guests and other families have been invited, and by sunrise they are slowly starting to arrive in order to pay their respect. To welcome them, the family of the deceased lines up alongside the room according to hierarchy, Tanamoto Kaicho first. Every member of the mourning family has a white paper flower attached to the jacket.
—
I stand in the doorway silently. I see the guests enter the room, burn incense for the departed, and say a prayer for his sake. After this, they proceed to an adjacent room where they sit and talk to the family boss, have a cup of tea, and smoke a cigarette.
At this point they pay their respect yet again by offering a ceremonial envelope with money inside. The precise amount of this gift is determined by a complex mixture of factors like relationships, business ties, a statement, personal friendships or past commemorations.
—
Soichiro tells me that often the deceased is mourned several times over different services, depending on practical circumstances, or even plain notoriety. I’m imagining the practical implications of organizing a single service in the center of a city with a Yakuza family consisting of several thousand members… In this case, it’s the second commemoration, and also quite intimate. Nonetheless, the endless line of cars is quite impressive. There are several members on “traffic duty”, redirecting (regular) traffic and providing parking space.
—
Every time the next line of cars approaches, Soichiro tells me which family it is, and a few words about or their relationship with them. I watch the members who are lower in rank exit their cars first, and form a line next to the road at the entrance of the shrine. A few seconds later, when the boss pulls up and exits his car, he is surrounded by family members. Everyone bows and greets while he walks past and enters the room.
—
The end of the day. It’s over. The guests have gone, the rooms have been cleaned and everyone’s ready to leave. Socho, the number one boss, is the first to go… his car drives up and he enters. Again, all members are lined up, this time to say goodbye. I feel a little uneasy, a tall westerner hanging around at the wrong place, having no clue what’s going on.
The car is about to pass by, but then something happens: the car slows down to a stop, and the darkened back window opens to me. This is definitely not standard procedure, and quite a security risk too. I now see the boss sitting there in his car, smiling and looking straight ahead. It takes me a second to realize why he does this… but then I get it.
—
I smile. I take the picture, I bow and pay my respects. The car drives off and disappears in the distance.
Soichiro and his family control Kabukicho, in the heart of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Not much happens in the streets without his approval.
—
After more than 10 months of preparation and ground work by my brother and our dear friend Taka-san, finally, for the first time, we all meet over dinner. At first, Soichiro lays down the rules. Tells us what we want to achieve is near impossible. He says that the things we want to document, no outsider has ever been allowed to bear witness to. We eat, drink, smoke, and exchange gifts.
—
He invites us to his office. we talk some more. I show previous work, I show prints of Oaxaca and I show prints of “Sugar”. He tells me I photograph with a Japanese eye. He laughs when we ask if it’s true that all family members have tattoos, and if it’s painful to get one.
Then he shows his.
Each tattoo is so personal, he says, full of meaning to the bearer and his family. Only Sensei Horikyo tattoos for his family.
—
No rush. He understands and wants us to take time to get to know his family, time to develop our view. He believes in our way of working, and is confident we will bring this to a good end. He thinks in years, not days or weeks or months.
He does a lot of legwork in his family. Even though he his a boss, he still speaks to his bosses who in turn speak with their bosses. Within two days, we are invited to witness a closed meeting. Four members apologizing to the family for being in jail. My brother and I are nervous as hell going in.
No pictures allowed yet, but now we know. Soichiro walked the walk and committed. Our project has begun for the next couple of years. My brother and I… and Soichiro. Becoming friends, telling the story… I hope everything will work out.
I’ve worked all day to prepare everything. Made galleries on my portable; made prints at Yodobashi Camera. Wrapped everything up nicely to present to him. When we meet at his office around 11pm, Soichiro, my brother, and I go through the whole collection of images i have made up till that point. I’m nervous as hell.
Slowly we go through every gallery, every image… Once in a while he flags one because he wants to ask a question or he wants me to make a print of it. To be presented to the subject on the photo… as a gift. This moment, the first showing of the images, the big first moment, “Are they going to like it? Will they approve?”, actually goes by without a glitch.
I also tell him i’m slowly starting to see the way i want to tell the story, so i show him my first sequenced spread layout on screen. only 20 images. I talk about my views, what i have seen, what i have learned, and that i am setting the mood in this “first chapter”. He agrees and thinks i should continue in the same way.
—
I’m in the front seat, riding with Soichiro in his car on his way to Shinjuku. “One cuts off one’s finger to make a point”, Soichiro explains while driving. “Usually to show the sincerity of an apology after doing something wrong.”
“You cut off a single digit of your own finger in a ceremonial way, while facing your boss, and then you present the severed finger on a folded napkin to him. It reinforces the power of your apology. It shows that you’re serious about what you’re saying.”
Somehow, i don’t feel like questioning that.
Bright day. Early morning. A commemoration is to be held for a deceased family member.
The family is in charge of organizing the service. Before dawn, they set up a room with a white shrine and flowers… the family name as well as the person’s own name is displayed above.
Guests and other families have been invited, and by sunrise they are slowly starting to arrive in order to pay their respect. To welcome them, the family of the deceased lines up alongside the room according to hierarchy, Tanamoto Kaicho first. Every member of the mourning family has a white paper flower attached to the jacket.
—
I stand in the doorway silently. I see the guests enter the room, burn incense for the departed, and say a prayer for his sake. After this, they proceed to an adjacent room where they sit and talk to the family boss, have a cup of tea, and smoke a cigarette.
At this point they pay their respect yet again by offering a ceremonial envelope with money inside. The precise amount of this gift is determined by a complex mixture of factors like relationships, business ties, a statement, personal friendships or past commemorations.
—
Soichiro tells me that often the deceased is mourned several times over different services, depending on practical circumstances, or even plain notoriety. I’m imagining the practical implications of organizing a single service in the center of a city with a Yakuza family consisting of several thousand members… In this case, it’s the second commemoration, and also quite intimate. Nonetheless, the endless line of cars is quite impressive. There are several members on “traffic duty”, redirecting (regular) traffic and providing parking space.
—
Every time the next line of cars approaches, Soichiro tells me which family it is, and a few words about or their relationship with them. I watch the members who are lower in rank exit their cars first, and form a line next to the road at the entrance of the shrine. A few seconds later, when the boss pulls up and exits his car, he is surrounded by family members. Everyone bows and greets while he walks past and enters the room.
—
The end of the day. It’s over. The guests have gone, the rooms have been cleaned and everyone’s ready to leave. Socho, the number one boss, is the first to go… his car drives up and he enters. Again, all members are lined up, this time to say goodbye. I feel a little uneasy, a tall westerner hanging around at the wrong place, having no clue what’s going on.
The car is about to pass by, but then something happens: the car slows down to a stop, and the darkened back window opens to me. This is definitely not standard procedure, and quite a security risk too. I now see the boss sitting there in his car, smiling and looking straight ahead. It takes me a second to realize why he does this… but then I get it.
—
I smile. I take the picture, I bow and pay my respects. The car drives off and disappears in the distance.
P/S A second edition of his book is now available for pre-order.
12.8.11
QR Codes
Yesterday, a friend emailed me a pretty cool article. It's titled - Brave hipster gets animated tattoo using a QR code. After reading the article and watching the video that was attached, all that's in my mind was if this video is legit.
You know, the last time, I got conned into believing a someone managed to tattoo all 152 friends on her arm. Now, if I were to think twice, I'd know it's not possible, each cell will be too small.
Anyway, long story short, I saw the video (see below) then thought, how cool it would be to get a tattoo of a QR code and have it linked to someone's contact details? That means whenever you are asked for your contact, just present your QR Code tattoo, get it scanned and voila, your contact details is now with this other person. And with that thought, I started researching on QR Codes. Found a couple but they are pretty average - you can only create a Code that directs you to a website or have some notes attached to the Code so when someone scan the Code, it will automatically direct you to a website.
Don't get me wrong, this is good but not what I wanted. I want to be able to scan the Code and it will show me contact details and with a click (a touch if it's an iPhone) of a button, save that contact details to my Contacts, in all relevant fields ie Name to be in Name, Address to be in Address etc.
After some digging around, I found exactly what I wanted. Well, here it is...
How to generate the code
• Visit Google’s Chart Wizard
• Reformat the sample below to and input your code
You know, the last time, I got conned into believing a someone managed to tattoo all 152 friends on her arm. Now, if I were to think twice, I'd know it's not possible, each cell will be too small.
Anyway, long story short, I saw the video (see below) then thought, how cool it would be to get a tattoo of a QR code and have it linked to someone's contact details? That means whenever you are asked for your contact, just present your QR Code tattoo, get it scanned and voila, your contact details is now with this other person. And with that thought, I started researching on QR Codes. Found a couple but they are pretty average - you can only create a Code that directs you to a website or have some notes attached to the Code so when someone scan the Code, it will automatically direct you to a website.
The QR Code this guy got tattooed on his chest only directs the user to a website, in this case, he embedded a link (in his QR Code) to YouTube showing a video he posted.
Don't get me wrong, this is good but not what I wanted. I want to be able to scan the Code and it will show me contact details and with a click (a touch if it's an iPhone) of a button, save that contact details to my Contacts, in all relevant fields ie Name to be in Name, Address to be in Address etc.
After some digging around, I found exactly what I wanted. Well, here it is...
How to generate the code
• Visit Google’s Chart Wizard
• Click the Editor tab
• Select QR Code from the Chart type
• Select QR Code from the Chart type
• Reformat the sample below to and input your code
Sample codeMECARD:N:Your Name;ADR:Your Address;TEL:Your Phone Number;
EMAIL:Your Email Address;URL:Your Website;;
• Click outside the input field to have it render the QR code
What to do with your code
• Making the QR code larger makes complex codes easier to read by scanners.
• Take a screen shot of the finished image.
• Add the image to whatever object you plan to show people (business card, background on your phone, t-shirt, store front, billboard, etc.)
Code Readers
Now get a QR reader for your smart phone so that you can read other QR codes out there. For iPhone I suggest use a free app called i-nigma. Now that you've got your app, you can try out your QR Code scanner by scanning the QR Code I created on your left.
What to do with your code• Making the QR code larger makes complex codes easier to read by scanners.
• Take a screen shot of the finished image.
• Add the image to whatever object you plan to show people (business card, background on your phone, t-shirt, store front, billboard, etc.)
Code Readers
Now get a QR reader for your smart phone so that you can read other QR codes out there. For iPhone I suggest use a free app called i-nigma. Now that you've got your app, you can try out your QR Code scanner by scanning the QR Code I created on your left.
Happy coding!
1.8.11
25.7.11
A State of Design
Fed Square :: Level 3 Carpark
One thing I love about Melbourne is there is always something on. Last weekend, the annual State of Design Festival just started and will go on for about a month. During this month, there will be (design related) conferences, shows, workshops, exhibitions and artistic installations across city of Melbourne. One of the highlights of this year's State of Design is Look.Stop.Shop.
This selected group of retailers has created unique window displays and in-store installations around this years’ Festival theme, Design that Moves. Participants include a broad range of traders from small independent boutiques, designer-owned and operated spaces and pop-up shops to department stores carrying everything from fashion, books, and lighting to objects. With many installations located in street-level stores, this diverse retail landscape provides 24 hour viewing.
Over the weekend, I managed to pop into the city and checked out the Design Trade Show. It seems like there are more exhibitors this year. I couldn't help but to take notes on some of the products on sale here. The idea on those products are very interesting. I was thinking of how I could manipulate those ideas to make them work with furniture or artwork which is more my style. Who knows, maybe I might start designing furniture. I do need furniture for the new house anyway so why not design it myself.
Apart from the Trade Show, I managed to also check out the Design:Market at Fed Square. Even though it was raining outside, this place was packed with, ermm, designers, posers... whatever you wanna call it. I prefer posers. People seem to have a different attitude in this space (myself included) don't know why. Some of them are alright though.
Stuff here are predominantly made by local designers. Hand made scarfs, beanies, jewellery etc. Typical over priced stuff if you ask me. However, some of them are pretty interesting. I didn't really spend too much money here, only a few hundred.
Not much, only $390 for a pair of Duckfeet
Posers?
I couldn't help myself - I bought the dark (army) green. Tempted to get the red one too...
Check out Tie-Ups
BYO Coffee cups
22.7.11
Week one.
It has been one week since I started at CHE. I didn't get off to a good start though. I was down with a throat infection and have to call in sick, on my first day. Normally, it would be fairly awkward to call in sick on your first day but my boss has been very understanding and said I should have a couple of days rest.
I showed up at work the following day (Tuesday) and it has been fairly smooth sailing for me work wise since then. It will take me a week or two to learn the ropes, the style guides of each account I have to work on but so far, it has been easy. Maybe my boss is being gentle cos I'm new.
It is good to know that the agency is fairly flexible. There's no one looking over your shoulder or checking how long you were away from your desk, bitching about being on the internet etc. We come in, we get the job done, we go home. The work culture here is just like what you find at a healthy agency. Staff joke around, play around, music playing... most of the guys here stay till late not because they have to, because they want to. They treat each other like friends whom you hang out with rather than colleagues you have to put up with. This is how a successful productive team should be.
Lunch - we get our own cafe with the daily menu emailed to us at about 10.30am. See sample...
Good Morning!
Our specials for today are:
Cauliflower and pumpkin soup: 7.50
Battered flathead and chips with salad: 10.50
Baked chicken and pesto thigh fillets on steamed rice and salad: 10.50
Beef mince pita pockets with salad: 10.50
Bacon, tomato and spring onion penne pasta: 10.00
Spinach and feta tart: with one salad - 8.00 with two salads - 9.50
Our sandwich fillings for today are:
Chicken, bocconcini, tomato, mayo, lettuce Beef, spinach, gherkin, tomato, tomato relish, seeded mustard mayo Falafel, tzatziki, roast pumpkin, red capsicum, lettuce, tasty cheese Ham, tomato, tasty cheese, lettuce, seeded mustard mayo
See you at lunch time :-)
Because today is Friday, at about 4.30pm, 2 nominated staff pushes a trolley with grog around the joint, stopping at each desk asking what we want for drinks. Wine, beer etc... I can get used to this.
Although all these are good things and I really do enjoy working here, I miss my minions back at Airport West. I miss people laughing at my lame arse jokes. I miss having my minions buying me lunch. I miss eBay. I miss giving Pete a hard time. I miss telling people to get fucked and get away with it.
15.7.11
Hello. Thank You. Good Bye.
The day has come for me to say good bye to The Good Guys. It has been a pretty smooth ride and honestly, it has been a great joy working with them. Well, most of them anyway.
Like any establishment, there are always dickheads that spoil it for everyone. But all in all, it was good. Am I sad to go? Yes, very much so. But, I think it is time to move on. I felt that I need room to grow, creatively. I want more responsibilities. I want to move up in the corporate ladder.
I must admit, I do have doubts. Doubt if I made the right choice of moving on. Life here at The Good Guys was pretty good. 15 minutes to work. 15 minutes to work. Ample of parking. The people (most) I work with are good people. Pete Brown, the Brand Manager (the person whom I work with most of the time) was a great boss (I was asked once who do I work for, PMP or Pete Brown? I said Pete Brown). There is nothing off limits. We talk to each other like mates. We argue, we disagree, but the end of the day, we got things done and we were a good team. We know how each other works.
The coordinators were a bunch of goofers too. Lots of bantering between us and at the end of the day, its all for laughs. There's no hard feelings. Not that I'm aware of anyway. Most of them do have a special kind of relationship with me. They would come around and ask if I want lunch whenever they go out for lunch. Only me. Hahahahahaha.......
Anna, Yen, Faye & Tam. Girl Power, thanks for wearing RED (as for Anna, thanks for wearing Fluro!) Fleur Loden, I forgive you for touching my screen and no, YOU ARE NOT A FOOL :). Padma Palani, please, no more swearing in Hokkien. Someday, it'll get you in trouble. Daniel Young, my poster boy. Your support of my tattoo business will always be remembered. Now you carry my brand with you for life, peace brother! :)
And finally, the PMP boys and girls. Especially those who sits on the 'Bourke Street Mall". We've had plenty of laughs. I love the witty remarks. Mick Smith, don't forget the whale song when you are stressed. Joe Torres, Kor Nu Ti... or tell her to get back to her shell if she gives you the shits! Daryl, no more jokes about dickheads :(. Brad, you won't suffer from my intricate design for catalogues anymore. Touche, I'm ready for your next tattoo when you are :) Bron, no more bantering, :(. Katie, be nice to the boys will ya? I still owe you lunch. Johan, keep fighting for the rights (of everyone) within the company. Dave, hope you recovered from the operation of your pimple and sorry if I stuff up your plans for early retirement. Matt, now that I'm gone, no one will compete with you on the Plunger or the Brown Nose Award. Jacinta, shame you are not here for my last day here. I'm sure we will catch up soon.
That's it from me I think. That's all I can think of. That's all I've got to say. Like a true prince, I say PISS OFF AND GET BACK TO WORK!
13.7.11
12.7.11
Turntable Soul
Chinese Man is a very underrated French DJ collective. Think Portishead. ON ACID. One of the group I normally play when I'm working, in need of background music, chill out, cruising and especially when I'm tattooing.
Their main influences are hip hop and jazzy electro, with samples coming from movies or old asian records. Somewhere between Birdy Nam Nam, Bonobo, Dj Shadow, or Le Peuple De L'Herbe.
If you like them, you might also like...
• Gramophonedzie [click to listen]
• Belleruche [click to listen]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)