From Window — Masahisa Fukase. Published by Michael Hoppen Gallery.
This is probably Fukase’s silliest series, and almost feels forbidden. Not because of the image content (unlike some of his contemporaries), but because of its obscurity. From Window was notably omitted from the major Fukase retrospective in 2018, and to date has only been printed in fragments (most recently by akaaka-sha in the compact Fukase retrospective they released this year). Seeing these images monograph form is like being let in on an inside joke, except the joke isn’t a joke at all. Rather a document capturing care-free highs of a relationship whose dissolution famously inspired Fukase’s Ravens.
There’s a lot more to say about the nuance of Fukase and Yoko’s relationship as mediated by the lens, and how this series is important within the context of Fukase’s life, but mostly the pictures are really, really good. Unfortunately the small edition of 120 flew out of print, but hopefully there is another edition to come.
Owen Kobasz edits the blog & newsletter at photo-eye. He holds a BA in the liberal arts from St. John's College, is currently enrolled in a masters program at the University of Pennsylvania, and likes to build and ride bikes in his free time.
@owenkobasz