The Japanese are well-known for making efficient use of small
living areas, a necessity of their high population density. I myself
often find the womb-like qualities of these spaces comforting, not
confining. This feeling is what led me to the subject of these
portraits, which show the residents of what is best described as a
guesthouse for backpackers in Tokyo. The facility is a sort of
downscale version of the well-known “capsule hotels” often used
by Japanese businessmen for short-term stays.
One of several such facilities in the city, this diminutive, bare-
bones hotel takes up one floor of an office building. It is
composed of a few hallways, along which the proprietor has built
tiny living compartments, perhaps no larger than XX x XX feet,
none with enough headroom to stand up straight inside. Separated
only by unfinished plywood, the spaces have no windows or door,
only a curtain at the entrance for privacy.
Some of the people in these images, whom I’ve shown surrounded
by their possessions, stay at the facility for a relatively short time.
They may be visiting Tokyo, waiting for a job to come through, or
saving money for a better place to live. For other residents, these
tiny cubicles are essentially permanent homes.
For me, the real interest of the resulting portraits is in how each
resident has made use of a such a small, confining space. Some of
the interiors are spartan, perhaps occupied by people who are
staying only for a short time. Others are full of possessions, often
complete with hanging wardrobes and improvised bookshelves—
even “decorated.” Of these, some are neat and orderly and others
are chaotic, with personal items strewn everywhere. In each case,
the sharply-defined space and its contents tell something about
its occupant’s personality, and his or her ability to function in such
Won Kim is a fine art photographer based in Brooklyn. He earned BFA in Photography from School of Visual Arts, and recently graduated from SVA's Master of Professional Studies in Digital Photography Program. Upon graduating, he was selected by LensCulture as one of '21 New & Emerging Photographers 2013' and won third place in International Photography Award (IPA). He was one of the finalists in Photo World 2014 by New York Photo Festival. He also has exhibited internationally including the Netherlands, France, Spain, and USA.
www.wonkimphotography.com
Awards [Awards]
2014
Finalist, Photoworld 2014 by New York Photo Festival
Invited artist, NEXT | Curated by Elizabeth Avedon, Castell P hotography
Invited artist, OPEN | With Juror Shane Lavalette, The Center for Fine Art Photography
Honorable mention, People/Lifestyle, International Photography Awards
Humanitarian Documentary winner, Pollux Awards (Worldwide Photography Gala)
2013
Selected artist, LensCulture: 21 New & Emerging Photographers
Third Prize, Architecture/Interior, International Photography Awards
Honorable mention, Deeper Perspective, International Photography Awards
Honorable mention, People/Lifestyle, International Photography Awards
Honorable mention, Architecture/Other, International Photography Awards
Juror Award of Merit, International Fine Art Photography Awards
First Prize, Architecture/Cityscape, American Aperture Awards
Honorable mention, Street Photography, American Aperture Awards
2012
Honorable mention, One Shot/Spaces, International Photography Awards
[Press & Publications]
2014 New York Times T magazine, USA
Digital Camera World, UK
2013 LensCulture, France
IPA & Lucie Awards Annual, USA
Photographer's Forum magazine, USA
[Exhibitions]
2014 The Powerhouse Arena at Dumbo Arts Festival | Brooklyn, USA
Photoworld 2014
The Center for Fine Art Photography | Colorado, USA
OPEN
Castell Photography Gallery | North Carolina, USA
NEXT : New Photographic Visions
SVA Gramercy Gallery | NYC, USA
23/7
St. Remy de Provence | Arles, France
Springtime and Rebirth
SVA Flatiron Gallery | NYC, USA
Nearly Distant
Municipal Heritage Museum | Malaga, Spain
Third international Biennial of Fine Art and Documentary Photography
Calumet Gallery | NYC, USA
Natural Selection
2013 School of Visual Arts | NYC, USA
Senior Show
2012 School of Visual Arts | NYC, USA
The Evolution Unfolding
Dek 22 Gallery | Rotterdam, Netherlands
Low Budget & High Class
WdKA Gallery | Rotterdam, Netherlands
& Thanks for all the fish
Kareldoormanstraat - Weena | Rotterdam, Netherlands
The (In)Visible Harbour
2010 Space Womb Gallery | NYC, USA
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