Express the Nuances of Emotion | Capture your Emotion | ISSUE #9

The works of the seven award winners will be exhibited inside Zenkyoin on July 22nd (Sat) and 23rd (Sun), 2023. This time, we asked the head priest, Masamune Uematsu, about Zenkyoin and himself.

Generally, temples are often associated with funerals and graves. Since Zenkyoin originally has very few parishioners, we have always thought about what we can do for people living now.

For about 20 years, Zenkyoin has been planning live events and art exhibitions. At that time, it was not common for temples to independently plan events, even if they provided venues. We have planned live events and co-hosted contemporary art group exhibitions with the publisher FOIL. Although it was said that such things were not what temples should do, considering the temple's history of hundreds of years, we planned these as a natural thing, aiming to restore the role of temples as places to exhibit and store art, as exemplified by the 'Wind and Thunder Gods Screens' housed in Kennin-ji, which was cutting-edge contemporary art at the time.

We consider exhibiting photo works submitted online as a natural thing for a temple that has been involved with expression throughout its long history.

I studied film in the Department of Imaging Arts at Osaka University of Arts. It was very natural for me, as my paternal side comes from a temple family and my maternal side from a family of film directors. Later, I lived a dual life as a freelance filmmaker and deputy head priest, creating TV commercials and corporate videos, and sometimes working as a VJ in clubs.

Since I also took photos like I did with videos, I was invited by Kyoto Seika University to teach a photography class. There, I started assignments themed on 'inner emotions', which is also the theme of this contest.

How can one take the first step as an artist rather than a consumer? In today's world, everyone has a smartphone, so even if someone can't create art or music well, they can take photos with a smartphone. With digital cameras, you can see the photos you take in real-time, allowing for repeated trial and error. It was ideal for expressing oneself while comparing one's emotions with the photos. Some photos were blurry and didn't fit the composition, but that was okay.

Emotions cannot be expressed in words, nor are they always beautiful. As participants become able to express the nuances of emotions boldly, without embarrassment, their eyes and expressions change. It was very enjoyable to witness such moments.

Around 2017, we launched a project called 'The Beginning Picture Book'.

The content involves asking 100 people with connections to us each year to recommend two picture books: one that left a lasting impression in their childhood and one they want to deliver to someone important now. We display these books along with message cards explaining their reasons for choosing them, and the project continues to this day.

The moment you capture your emotions, the first person to see the captured emotions is the one who took the photo.

I hope that through the contest, participants will be excited to discover the emotions and feelings residing in their hearts.

Zenkyoin has been making new attempts as a place of expression beyond the traditional image of a temple. In this Zenkyoin-supported photo contest 'Capture your Emotion', we expect submissions of works freely interpreting the theme 'Expression of Emotions ~ Your Seven Colors ~'.

As a reward, the works will be exhibited at Zenkyoin. We look forward to your creative submissions.

【Contest Period】
May 10, 2023 (Wed) - June 10, 2023 (Sat)

【Exhibition Dates】
July 22, 2023 (Sat) - July 23, 2023 (Sun)

【How to Apply】

• Select the contest 'Capture your Emotion'
• Tap 'Agree to the terms and submit'
• Select the content to submit your work