Book Review: Giri Giri ギリギリ

Giri Giri ギリギリ
© Nicolas Boyer, Les Editions de Juillet & Hatje Cantz

Giri Giri ギリギリ

Photographs: Nicolas Boyer

Authors: Agathe Parmentier and Nicolas Boyer

Editor: Les Editions de Juillet & Hatje Cantz

Bilingual version English/French

Format: 220 x 289 mm

ISBN: 978-3-7757-5097-4

‘Giri Giri’ is the first book produced by Nicolas Boyer, a French photographer, for the French and international press. In it the author elaborates on different popular archetypes of the Japanese imagery often celebrated by Western audiences. From time-honoured settings to Blade Runner-esque urban environment, several ideas of (extra) ordinary life are reimagined through Boyer’s compositions. A recurrent theme of the opus is a perceived contrast between modern traditionalism and past industrialisation, which generates a dream-like sense particularly visible in a series portraying a yukata-dressed girl placed in a decaying urban setting.

The shots in the book appear often as elaborated and well-thoughts plastic compositions that celebrate their subjects rather than predate on their exotic feeling. To a certain degree we cannot but salute Boyer’s ability to play with subjects that could easily be considered stereotypical without falling into the trap of re-hashed Japanese exoticism. The reader is guided through the experience by articles punctuating the pictures, which elaborate upon the creative process at the core of the book, as well as delivering insights about Japan and its many cultures.

Nonetheless, we should notice that these same plastic compositions might require a certain time to be enjoyed to their fullest. This aspect might appeal to the sensibility of the reader, as we are constantly reminded that what we are reading is much more than a simple collection of photographs about Japan, but an artistic production, with the complexity that goes with it.

Overall, we must consider ‘Giri Giri’ as a noteworthy title in the panorama of artistic depiction of Japan and its perceived imagery. This book delivers upon its initial premise of ‘present[ing] a sum of contradicting visual materials’ on the condition that the reader pays it required attention and contemplates enough. But since images speak louder than words, we gladly entrust them with the task of convincing you.

Below is a video compilation of a selection of shots presented in the book, available through Nicolas Boyer’s official Vimeo account. Enjoy! 

Giri Giri - Video Presentation © Nicolas Boyer, Les Editions de Juillet & Hatje Cantz

Written by Marty Borsotti