As mentioned in a previous column, I held my first photo exhibition “Portugal” in January 2011. It was an exhibition of photographs taken in Portugal, where I had traveled with my husband the previous year.
Ricoh Photo Gallery RING CUBE often held workshops. We lived in Hatchobori at that time, and we often visited RING CUBE whenever we had time. We would meet up after work, or stop by in the middle of our walk on weekends, and get sucked into the doughnut-shaped space in the middle of Ginza.
One day, I went to Ginza 4-chome with my portfolio in hand because the aloha-shirted editor-in-chief of a certain camera magazine and Yukio Uchida, who I have worked with on this column, were going to hold a portfolio review. They advised me to apply for the open call exhibition, which would eventually lead me to exhibit my work, and that is how I got to where I am today. I now feel destined to write this column.
In March of this year, the San-ai Dream Center, the building where the RING CUBE used to be located, was finally demolished. Not only me, but all the people involved must have something on their minds.
Taking the elevator up to the ninth floor, the top floor of the San-ai building, after visiting several second-hand camera stores scattered around Ginza, circling around the gallery on the eighth floor, and going back down to the streets of Ginza was our usual routine in Ginza.
Later, they changed the name “RING CUBE” and we moved far away from Ginza, but every time I looked up at the building at the Ginza 4-chome intersection, I was reminded of how I felt the first time I stepped out as a photographer.
This is where I started. Although all the tangible things will disappear one day, the excitement and joy of having so many people see my photographs for the first time is the “core” that I will always keep in mind as I continue to live and pursue my career as a photographer. From now on, I will probably remember that feeling every time I hold my GR in my hands.
GR is more than a camera; it may be a compass for me.
With much gratitude.
Mina Daimon
Born in Yokohama, currently living in Chigasaki, Daimon became a photographer after winning the Ricoh RING CUBE public exhibition. In addition to being an artist, she collaborates with apparel brands, teaches courses and holds events sponsored by camera manufacturers and stores, and contributes articles to magazines and web magazines. Has held many solo and group exhibitions. Her representative works include "Honjitsu no hakoniwa (Today's Sandbox)" and "Hama", as well as the photobook "Hama" (Akaaka Art Publishing Inc).
www.minadaimon.com
