CONCEPT

「Analogue Auto Motives」 presents automobiles as a subject through the lenses of active artists from various backgrounds who explore Japan’s automotive culture in their photography, with an atmosphere that can only be captured through analog film.

These artists ‒ all local to Japan ‒ each have experience navigating the far corners of Japan’s automotive subcultures and express its distinctive energy through images on film. The exhibition’s narrative focuses on the film medium that, while becoming increasingly less practical, continues to hold a vital place as a photographic art form. Seeking to bring
together regional film photographers in one place, this exhibition will showcase the famously diverse world of automotive cultures in Japan and allow the viewer to engage
with this world in a raw and visceral way.

The exhibition requires a space in central Tokyo with ease of access by public transport. It is planned to be held in early January to coincide with Tokyo Auto Salon weekend, when thousands of car enthusiasts from around the world converge in Tokyo for the love of Japanese car culture.

Venue

Photographers

We have selected exhibiting photographers who operate within Japan, with an emphasis on those who primarily shoot with film.

Participants are allotted an 182cm x 92cm space to display the selected photographs of their choice. Each participant is responsible for printing their selected works, giving them the freedom to determine the best sizing, medium and layout for their display. Larger sized prints are recommended, but size is ultimately left to the discretion of the artist.

Participants are encouraged to price their photo prints for sale and to create merch (ie. stickers, small zines, keychains, apparel) to sell at the exhibit. All sales will be handled by the team and each participant will receive 100% of profits from their own sales.

The Team

For the past 10 years, John Blewitt aka J2B3, has been exploring the various subcultures of the automotive world throughout Japan, all expressed through his passion of film photography on vintage Canon film SLR cameras. His zeal for capturing ever-evolving automotive cultures while constantly trying to grow his photographic skill has led him on a persistent search for like-minded automotive film photographers around the globe.

Since 2010, Park Baker has been documenting Japan’s unique custom car and kaido racer culture through his ongoing photoblog project「HIGHTOPFADE」.
More recently he has begun implementing point-and-shoot film cameras like his Canon Sure Shot 85 to explore the raw custom details and wildly creative spirit of Japan’s distinctive underground automotive scenes including kaido racers, dekotora and lowriders.

BADBOYAUTO reinterprets car culture through art and street culture. By linking and disseminating the culture with diverse contexts and perspectives outside of the automobile,
BADBOYAUTO aims to deepen understanding of car culture and to further develop and sublimate it.