アーティストステートメント
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ARTIST STATEMENT
Unknown Flame by Koichi Morita and Eri Morita My project, "Unknown Flame" explores the extraordinary life of my father, Koichi Morita, who was born in Manchuria, China, to Japanese pioneer parents, grew up in rural Kumamoto, Japan, and pursued his entrepreneurial dreams, becoming one of the early developers of love hotels in Japan. Love hotels, which thrived from the 1970s to the 1990s, are specialized accommodations where lovers can spend time together outside their homes. These hotels became cultural icons with unique architectural styles. Following the bubble economy in Japan, the industry declined, but it left behind a fascinating legacy captured in art books and movies. The inspiration for this project came from a significant discovery: a long-forgotten safe, unopened for decades, revealed a treasure trove of old photographs and journals from my father's youth. Among these was a photograph that unraveled a family mystery I had always wondered about, prompting me to realize how little I knew of his life's story. At 80 years old, my father’s time is limited, and the urgency to document his journey became clear. Our creative process involves photographing my father during our annual meetings, capturing his essence as he ages and gradually reveals his past. These contemporary portraits are paired with his archived photos, love hotel catalogs, and writings. We revisited a love hotel he built in the early 90s. The hotel was opened at the height of his company’s success and was auctioned off when his business took a downward turn due to the Japanese economic crisis. This collaboration weaves together the present and the past, offering a holistic view of his life and the cultural context of his era. |