Guido Castagnoli’s photographic investigation of the urban landscape of small Japanese towns takes us far from the stereotypes associated with contemporary Japan. There is no frenzied megalopolis, no rapidly expanding techno-city. Nor are there signs of the kind of extreme minimalism often associated with Japanese culture. Instead we encounter an atmosphere of quiet and refined suspension amid the somewhat surrealistic landscape of the Shizuoka district.
Guido Castagnoli was born in Turin, Italy in 1976.After receiving his diploma in Advertising Graphics and Communication, Castagnoli began his professional career as art director of a prominent advertising agency in Milan. His interest in photography began when he shot his first images using an old family-owned Leica. During the following years, he left his position at the advertising firm to devote himself entirely to photography. He currently works as a freelance photographer, mainly in the advertising sector. His works have been exhibited in public and private institutions in Italy, Germany, England and Japan. Castagnoli lives in Genoa and part time in Japan with his wife Seiko and their two daughters.
Weekend portfolio selected by David Fahey.
