These works were created without a camera, using hand-developed Instax film (known as Cheki in Japan). I chose this method to capture the world in front of me as I truly experience it.
Since August 2005, when my only son died suddenly in an accident, I have felt like I am living in a long, lucid dream. Though I go about my daily life, my consciousness cannot give a definite form to reality. These camera-less photos reflect that exact perception.
In Japan, Cheki film is typically used to record happy moments and parties. I wanted to use it to capture joyous memories with my son, but that is no longer possible. The unformed shapes appearing on this film represent the very origin of those lost memories.
Now that he is gone, these images also question the essence of photography itself: does a photograph truly require a camera or a subject? Either way, I will never wake up from this dream.
"Lucid dream"
Yachiyo Enomoto
Saitama
