Toshiro Yamane Front Desk

In the mid-1980s, he depicted the peculiar landscapes of modern society, using the ever-expanding reclaimed land of Tokyo Bay as a motif. In Kasai Rinkai Park (Edogawa Ward, Tokyo), a large amount of polystyrene foam was buried as a measure against subsidence on the soft ground, and concrete and soil were layered on top of it to create a foundation that is unstable yet artificial, truly worthy of being called "floating world."

This book focuses on the aquariums, exhibition halls (Makuhari Messe), skyscrapers (River City 21), and tunnel and bridge constructions that were built on these reclaimed lands. In a space surrounded by glass and concrete, perfectly reproduced artificial waves are created by computer control, fish and plants thrive, and people enjoy clamming and surfing. The creation of this "perfect sea" questions the insatiable desire of humans to conquer and imitate nature, and the uncertain impact that this action will have on the future. Through this unique space where the artificial and the natural, the real and the fictional, coexist, Yamane vividly presents the light and the shadow of modern civilization.

●1992 Photographic Society of Japan Newcomer Award Winner

[Title] FRONT
[Publisher] Information Center Publishing Bureau
[Publication date] September 1991 (1st printing)
[Number of pages] 110 pages
[Size] Approx. 22.8 x 30.8 x 1.8 cm / 0.97 kg
[Format] Hardcover
[Title reading] Front
[Authors/Editors] Toshiro Yamane/Author, Shoji Kamekai/Design and Composition
[ISBN] 4-7958-0563-6 C0070
[Condition] Used, average condition for its age (slight damage and stains on top of cover, slight discoloration and stains on three sides, slight stains on endpapers)
[Accessories] None
[Published books] 1991 KUKAN November issue, Asahi Camera November issue, Nippon Camera November issue (reviewed by Koshio Kuwahara), SD December issue (reviewed by Kotaro Izawa)
[Related Exhibition] 1986

"TOKYO SEA FRONT" Shinjuku Nikon Salon (Tokyo), 1989

"TOKYO WATER FRONT" Gallery MIN (Tokyo)

Toshiro Yamane (1953-)
Born in Nakoro City, Fukushima Prefecture (now Iwaki City).
Graduated from the Department of German Literature, Faculty of Letters, Sophia University in 1977. After working at the Asahi Shimbun Company (Publication Department Photo Division, Editorial Photo Division), he became independent at the end of 1988.
Since 1985, he has been walking around the reclaimed land along the Tokyo Bay coast, photographing the original landscape.
At the same time, he taught himself color printing techniques.
In 1992, he received the Newcomer Award from the Photographic Society of Japan for his photobook "FRONT."