Exploring the Fusion of Visuals | Geidai Student Momoko | ISSUE #17

Momoko, majoring in Information Design and Visual Expression at Kyoto University of the Arts, brings a fresh breath to the world of photography with her unique perspective and deep insight. Her talent and curiosity are vividly reflected in her work, captivating viewers.

Surrounded by friends who enjoy diverse forms of expression, her creativity is shaped through these interactions. While studying design, she does not explicitly label herself as a designer or photographer. However, her commitment to conveying emotions and messages through visual information remains unchanged.

"I might be finding the possibilities of expression at the intersection of record and memory," she says. While the information captured in photographs structurally signifies a record, she perceives that something different is processed from the information that should be seen, whether it's a film negative or an iPhone.

She believes that photography does not record memory but embodies memory at the point where the past and present overlap through records, and she continues to experiment to create photographs that exist between record and memory.

This curiosity is also evident in her portrait work.

"When taking pictures of people, I have an expected image of the outcome in my mind, but I try to capture the subject as naturally as possible," says Momoko. While valuing the atmosphere of the subject, she pursues photographs that blend her sensibility and image.

When asked about her favorite works, Momoko mentions that she enjoys the manga and essays by Momoko Sakura, known for works like "Chibi Maruko-chan" and "Coji-Coji." Indeed, Momoko has a calm atmosphere reminiscent of a slightly grown-up Chibi Maruko-chan. It seems we have discovered the source of her rich curiosity and imagination.

Currently, she is working at the photo lab in Kyoto while pursuing her university studies. "Since the end of the pandemic, I can feel that more film shot in various places is being developed," she says happily. Handling inspections and customer service, she encounters various photographers' works, and viewing the world from new perspectives every day will surely be invaluable time.

Since entering university, Momoko has learned the basics of image editing software, including Adobe Illustrator and specialized 3D CG, acquiring the skills to bring her ideas to life. It will be exciting to see how her expression, combining bold ideas and technology, will be refined in the future.