Sydney is set to become the epicentre of contemporary art this season with the launch of “Hiroshi Sugimoto: Time Machine,” the largest exhibition to date showcasing the iconic work of the internationally celebrated artist.
Spanning over five decades, Sugimoto’s career has been marked by a profound exploration of time, memory, and the essence of photography, positioning him as one of the most influential figures in modern art.
The exhibition, presented in Sydney for the first time, is a comprehensive survey of Sugimoto’s key photographic series, offering a deep dive into his unique artistic vision. Through this extensive collection, visitors will experience Sugimoto’s philosophical and playful examination of our understanding of time. His work challenges traditional perceptions of photography by blending documentary and inventive approaches to capture and convey the passage of time.
Sugimoto’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the rich history of photography. Known for his meticulous technique, he employs a large-format camera and personally mixes his darkroom chemicals to create his images. This dedication to traditional methods, combined with his innovative approach, allows Sugimoto to revisit and reimagine 19th-century photographic practices. His subjects—ranging from dioramas and wax figures to grand architectural structures—are captured with an almost meditative focus, revealing the interplay of time, space, and light.
One of Sugimoto’s most renowned series, “Dioramas,” exemplifies his fascination with the passage of time and memory. By photographing dioramas in natural history museums, Sugimoto blurs the line between reality and representation, highlighting the temporal distance between the subjects and the viewer. Similarly, his “Theatres” series captures the essence of a movie screen in its purest form, transforming mundane images into profound reflections on time’s fleeting nature.
The exhibition is supported by the Neilson Foundation, K&S Martin-Weber, Warwick Evans, Minyu Zhang, and the Toshiba International Foundation, with curatorial oversight by Ralph Rugoff, Megan Robson, and Lara Strongman. Their support underscores the significance of Sugimoto’s work and ensures that this major exhibition brings his vision to a wider audience.
Born in Tokyo in 1948, Hiroshi Sugimoto has crafted an illustrious career across diverse fields including photography, performing arts, sculpture, installation, and architecture. After graduating from Saint Paul’s University in Tokyo in 1970, he pursued further studies at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. Relocating to New York in 1974, Sugimoto developed his artistic practice, seamlessly integrating Eastern and Western philosophies while exploring the complexities of perception and consciousness.
Sugimoto’s art is a profound exploration of temporal existence and the nature of reality. His work reflects a deep engagement with both Eastern and Western ideologies, engaging with concepts of empiricism and metaphysics to question the very nature of perception. For Sugimoto, photography is more than a medium—it is a time machine, capable of preserving and picturing the passage of time in ways that transcend mere documentation.
“Hiroshi Sugimoto: Time Machine” offers Sydney an unparalleled opportunity to delve into the mind of one of contemporary art’s most innovative thinkers. The exhibition invites audiences to reflect on their own perceptions of time and memory through Sugimoto’s masterful lens, making it a must-see event for art enthusiasts and newcomers alike.