Hiroshi Sugimoto's exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum, titled 'Form Is Emptiness', is a testament to the artist's profound exploration of emptiness and the profound insights it can offer. Sugimoto's journey began in Japan, but his true calling was found in the United States, where he studied photography and delved into Buddhist texts, particularly the Heart Sutra. This philosophical approach has shaped his art for over 50 years, and the exhibition at SAM showcases his unique perspective on emptiness, presented through a mandala structure.
The exhibition is a testament to Sugimoto's ability to transform the familiar into something profound. The curator, Angelica Ong, highlights the inclusion of fossils, which represent the accumulation of time, contrasting with the camera's ability to isolate a moment. This juxtaposition is a recurring theme in Sugimoto's work, as he explores the interplay between verisimilitude and reality in his series 'Dioramas' and 'Portraits'.
Sugimoto's approach to photography is philosophical and conceptual. He challenges the notion that photographers are merely documentarians, arguing that they must display a heightened sense of conceptual strength to be respected in the art world. This is evident in his use of historical figures and wax museum figures to create a sense of timelessness and verisimilitude. His series 'In Praise Of Shadows' further emphasizes his interest in the ephemeral, as he documents the lifespan of flickering candles, creating monochromatic works that stand in contrast to the loud and controversial national pavilions at the Venice Biennale.
Sugimoto's success is also intertwined with political superstructures. He benefited from the generous climate in New York in the 1970s, where he could pitch himself into the scene with the support of institutions like the Guggenheim Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts. However, he acknowledges that the situation has changed, and he expresses a desire to move away from the political and gender-dependent nature of contemporary art.
One of Sugimoto's most enduring projects is his series of Seascapes, where he captures the meeting point of sky and sea. This pursuit of eternity and timelessness is a driving force behind his work, as he seeks to share a vision with ancient people, even those from the Stone Age. The irony is that his pursuit of these vistas is now complicated by airport security measures, which prevent him from transporting fresh prints without damaging them. Despite this, Sugimoto remains dedicated to his craft, and the SAM retrospective is a testament to his ambition to push photography to new heights.
The exhibition 'Form Is Emptiness' is a must-see for art enthusiasts, offering a unique perspective on emptiness and the profound insights it can offer. Sugimoto's work challenges viewers to look beyond the surface and explore the philosophical and conceptual depths of his art. As he reflects on his journey, Sugimoto's success is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to transform the familiar into something extraordinary.
