Statement

80°05′

In 1912, Nobu Shirase, a Japanese explorer, attempted to become the first human to reach the South Pole, but gave up at 80°05′ south latitude. From that point, the modern-day explorer Masatatsu Abe pioneered a previously unexplored route and dreams of reaching the South Pole on foot alone. A challenge that transcends nearly 100 years. What motivates them to go on an adventure?

Profile

Kouta Takahashi

Born in Akita, Japan, in 1986.
He creates artworks based on the questions he has while traveling and interacting with society and people.

2021 Portrait of Japan｜Shortlist

Jury selection

Judged by IMA Editorial Team

Beyond time connecting the past to the present, we can see the story of the two adventurers even with the limited number of photographs. We don’t know if the work was created amidst the COVID-19 crisis but the way this story was told using set-up and still life photography, without going along the trip, has a great meaning because we are living through such an unusual time. The images are perfectly selected to tell what needs to be told and the composition is on point. We are very curious about where these two adventurers headed towards.

Links

• Instagram：@kouta.t14
  HP：www.kouta14.com