My name is, My name is... | Daido Brothers | AkaAka 2024 [SIGNED]

"A picture is worth a thousand words" makes total sense when encountering Yuki and Koki Daido's photographs.

Twins, Osaka native and at 26 years of age, they can be found roaming the streets of Osaka discreetly taking photos during their spare time.

Social media today has transformed photography from what was once the preserve of the highly trained professional into a "photographic democracy", affording the potential for all citizens with a smartphone to hand to call themselves "Photographer".

The twin's documentary photography casts a cool, empathetic eye over what might be consid- ered the trite, banal and mundane.

Their dispassionate gaze illicits a gamut of emotions in turn humor, meloncholy and irony, they draw us into a potentially romantic view of the rapidly disappearing scenes of Japanese society. What may be an eyesore to most, may well be a source of immense inspiration to others.

Their images certainly evoke emotion. It is no surprise they mainly shoot on film, their DIY ethos lending an urgent and compelling air to their world view. We are also drawn to their distinctive style and choice of subject. It far supercedes a need for technical prowess. So intent on creating a representation of their own world, not only do they take the photo- graphs, but painstakingly produce their own hand made, eminently collectible photographic books. Lucky are the few who manage to get their hands on one.

When asked what inspires their photography, Yuki replied "I don't know, but I am looking for something and I often shoot when my mind has wavered and I am upset by my own useless- ness, that's when I go out and shoot photographs".

Their dedication to their craft as a means to it's own end is a very rare pursuit in the face of relentless contemporary social media forces. How refreshing for us to see their work that clearly reflects the pure enjoyment of the process as fulfilling in and of itself. We very much look forward to seeing much more of their take on the world. - "SEARCHING FOR UTOPIA", Words by D.K.H