“X2”- YOSHIKO CHUMA and SHIROTAMA HITSUJIYA

Human being freeze themselves into blocks of ice and seek the spark that will set them free again... 

(Photo top:  Yoshiko Chuma on the left, Shirotama Hitsujiya on the right, Photo bottom:  Shirotama as a "Japanese Bunny")

The two, active Japanese female performing artists, Yoshiko Chuma and Shirotama Hitsujiya, literally met on the street of NYC, and created a collaborative live performance,  "X2", which was performed at CRS (Center of Remembering and Sharing) in NYC, Jan 11th, 2009.

To view the full coverage of the show, visit my flickr Slideshow or Thumnails.

Links:

Yoshiko Chuma:  Artistic director & Choreographer of  The School of Hard Knocks, USA and of Daghdha Dance Company, Ireland.

Shirotama Hitsujiya:  Artistic director & Choreographer of YUBIWA Hotel.

Mr. Becker D

Mr. Becker D. was a customer at fotorush, the one-hour photo lab I used to work about 9 years ago. I worked at fotorush for about 3 years and he used to be one of the most loyal customer there. He told me that he used to be a commercial photographer when he was young.  But the most of the rolls I processed for him were blurred images of somebody's face or flower from a television screen.  I don't know how old he was at that point, but he couldn't hold the camera steady already, and he appeared to be living by himself.

At one point, he stopped coming for a while and we were wondering if he was OK. It turned out that he had a car accident and that made him even older and hard to come out.  But he DID come back. I remember I was pretty amazed, and asked him to pose for me outside the store. I felt I should do this while I can.

Lately I feel strongly that it is nobody else but me who's being saved by taking picture of somebody.

Ballet dancer

Rei Ichikawa is a friend of mine from middle school in Kawasaki, Japan. She has been dancing classic ballet since she was 4 years old. I asked her who got her started ballet, she said "I did, according to my parents, I don't remember, though."

PHOTOGRAPHER JIMA'S OPENNING PARTY, THIS MONDAY

dear friends,

this is jima. i am showing my photographs at mangiami (italian wine
bar and restaurant).
the opening party will be on monday, december 8 from 6-8pm.
the address is 9 stanton st, new york, ny 10002.
i need your support!
if you have a chance, please stop by!
please bring your friends!

best,
jima



Photographer Jima, and I went to the same college, took the same major (commercial photography) and worked together at Silverworks, a Custom B&W darkroom for about 3 years, and the same Gemini.

KrisThal Trio

KrisThal Trio is a band I came to photograph, for their promotion. They first reached me by finding my website, through far mutual friend of my girl friend. At the first meeting, they played their song through i-tune, and I loved the song right away.

Here are the members...

Aaron Shragge is a shakuhachi, trumpet, and alto-saxophone player, who is originally from Canada, very sweet person, is what I can tell from how his sounds. http://www.aaronshragge.com/

Raphaelle Brochet is a vocalist, who is originally from Bordeaux,France. Born to musician parents, she grew up touring with her family all over the Europe, exploring the world of jazz, and studied dance, piano and vocal. At the shoot with her in Central Park this spring, she tried to let the breath/air in my still frame, by dancing in front of my camera. She is a spirited performer.
http://www.raphaellebrochet.com/

Alexi David is a composer/double bassist, who was born in Cyprus, raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn. His website is fun to visit.
http://www.alexidavid.com/

He also plays with Jose James (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo3hzUmoi_s), who've become my favorite vocal singer lately.

To hear "Moon Bhaja" (song no.4), visit Raphaelle's myspace site

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=186740035

Reiko and Roy

A hat designer, Reiko and her husband, Roy (teaches photography at high school and artist himself) at their apartment in Bed-Stuy, in Brooklyn.


Rfive Design is an collaboration between Reiko Tomita (millinery and fashion design) and Roy Reid (photography and graphic design).　They apply their creative sensibilities to fashion, home design and fine arts.

Reiko also creates amazing Bento art.

Reiko's bentos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rreid/sets/72157594507492814/
Rfive Design: www1.to/rfive
Roy's flickr photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rreid/