Unstoppable

• Prize
  Bronze in Book Proposal (Series Only)/Fine Art
• Photographer
  Motonori Shimizu, Japan
• Website
  http://m-shimizu.net

There is a small island of the coast of Nagasaki were time stands still. My desire was to pay respect to that which is no more; to that which is unstoppable.

This island, Hashima had experienced a rapid development through coal mining in the past. It came to be called 'Gunkan-jima' (Warship Island) from its appearance. Around 1960, during its most prosperous era, the population density here was ranked No.1 in the world; nine times larger than that of Tokyo. Sweat, tears and blood were shed by laborers because of the danger involved in working with coal. This rapid development was simply 'Unstoppable', like a spinning wheel out of control.
Years following, oil became the popular source of energy which led to a rapid decline in coal consumption which in turn led to people jumping ship. This island was becoming a ghost town. It was 'Unstoppable'.
And now, it has been deserted for over 35 years; an island of ruin. All it knows now are the waves that crash on its shores. Unbelievably, I was allowed to stand on this island. I tried to stop its 'Unstoppable' by taking photos. These works are the records of 'Unstoppable' captured only for a moment.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the city of Nagasaki for giving me the permission to enter the restricted island of Gunkan-Jima and helping me complete this project.

ï¼?The island is a closed off in accordance with the city of Nagasaki.

[Summary]
I started taking photos in 2009. On weekdays, I work in the management planning department of a food products company.
And on weekends, I take photos.
â??Unstoppableâ?? is my first mega project. Iâ??d like to exhibit and publish my works overseas from now on.

[Biography]
Jul. 1980/Born in Aichi Pref. JAPAN

Mar. 2004/ Chuo Univ. (Tokyo, JAPAN) Economic Department graduated

Apr. 2005/ Entered food products company for an office clerk.

Sept. 2009/ Started taking photos

Jul. 2011/ Joined the photo folio review â??Les Renconteres dâ??Arles 2011â?? in FRANCE

Awards [Feb. 2016] ‘Individual’ ViewPoint Gallery (Canada)
　[Aug.-Sept. 2015] ‘Individual’ Ballarat International Foto Biennale (Australia)
[Jun.-Jul. 2015] ‘Individual’ PH 21 Gallery, Budapest (Hungary)
[May. 2015] ‘Individual’ Gala Teplice Reception and Exhibition, Teplice (Czech Republic)
[May. 2015] ‘Individual’ KOLGA Tbilisi Photo, Tbilisi (Georgia)
[Apr. 2015] ‘Individual’ Month Of Photography Los Angels (USA)
[Nov. 2014] ‘Unstoppable’ Focus Bangalore Annual Exhibition, Bangalore (India)
[Oct. 2013]’Unstoppable’ PHOTOVISA Int’l Festival of Photography, Krasnodar (Russia)
[Aug.-Oct. 2013]’Unstoppable’ Orange Coast Collage Photo Gallery (USA)
[Aug.-Sept. 2013] ‘Unstoppable’ Ballarat International Foto Biennale (Australia)
[Apr. 2013] ‘Unstoppable’ Month Of Photography Los Angels (USA)

[Article]
May. 2014 / 'Marginal Lives' FORMAGRAMMA (ITALY)
May. 2014 / 'Unstoppable' POSI+TIVE Magazine (GERMANY)
Jan. 2014 / 'Marginal Lives' Le oeil de la Photographie (FRANCE)
Jun. 2012 / 'Unstoppable' Le Journal de la Photographie (FRANCE)

[Prize]
[2015] ‘Individual’ ViewPoint Gallery Photography Competition <12 winners> (Canada)
[2015] ‘Individual’ Photo Annual Awards (Czech Republic)
[2014] ‘Unstoppable’ Moscow International Foto Awards (Russia)
　[2013] ‘Marginal Lives’ ipa-International Photography Awards (USA)
　[2012] ‘Unstoppable’ ipa-International Photography Awards (USA)
[2012] ‘Unstoppable’ PX3-Prix de la Photographie, Paris (France)

[Participation]
Nov. 2012/Portfolio review 'Lens Culture Foto Fest Paris' (FRANCE)
Jul. 2012/Portfolio review 'Higashikawa International Photo Festival' (JAPAN)
Jul. 2011 /Photo folio review 'Les Rencontres d'Arles' (FRANCE)