Hiroshi Sugimoto, Aegean Sea, Pilion, (1990) By Dominic Willsdon

Hiroshi Sugimoto, Aegean Sea, Pilion, (1990)

By Dominic Willsdon

Hiroshi Sugimoto, Aegean Sea, Pilion, 1990

Whilst looking at the short essay on the Aegean Sea, Pilion written by Dominic Willsdon I came to discover that in the beginning of his essay he laid out the factual information about the image and after the first page disclosed information about the artist of the image. In the text he states that the images follow a formula, the image being withdrawn from colour and using a black and white colour pattern and equally dividing the image in two, a reference to a piece similar “Monk by the sea” by Friedrich suggests the idea that an encounter between nature and a human being is referred to as the rather worn term “The Sublime”

The texts often refers to the word “Romantic” and is justified by being referenced to iconic images of Romantic landscape art and its reference to Greece’s mythic power and cultural significance. The idea that culture exists when languages exist ran through several lines of the page whist forming a connection to human awareness and how when we name things around us this in turn separates ourselves from the world. Whilst reading the text it became clear that religion has played a huge part in his idea to convey how naming creates difference, he refers to the book of genesis and the idea that communication is somehow lost to us but art is the medium to which everyone can communicate.

Although the image has been compared and beautifully referenced to other art work not much has been spoken about the specific image of interest in a direct manner. The notion of nothing and emptiness flow through the words of each page. The titles appeal to stories of historical and mythological value and allow the mind to form a connection. Willsdon states “It is like a performance of Romanticism from which the spirit has departed.” With nothing visible in the image to suggest other narratives within its blankness. Sugimoto’s images are void of spiritual values of the places they depict.

Reference:

Howarth, S. and Alexandra, M. D. 2005.

Singular images: Essay on Remarkable Photographs.

Hiroshi Sugimoto, Aegean Sea, Pilion, (1990) By Dominic Willsdon

New York Aperture