The Fourth Wall Hiroyuki Takenouchi

Photographer Hiroyuki Takenouchi looks directly at urban landscapes and nature, laying bare the essence beneath the surface. To cope with childhood loneliness, Takenouchi once built walls between himself and others. However, the camera became a tool to connect him with the world and express his true self. "I realized that only when I am taking photos, I don't have to think about myself," he reflects. Photographing mindfully allowed him to escape his vulnerabilities. Through his tender yet sharp observation, all subjects are rendered with equal weight, exposing the inherent beauty of their mere existence.

Published by T&M Projects in 2017, this volume serves as the culmination of his early career. The title, The Fourth Wall, refers to the imaginary barrier between reality and theater, symbolizing his determination to break down his personal walls through photography. Comprising snapshots, landscapes, and small animals captured between 2007 and 2017, the book contains no human figures, yet radiates distinct warmth and intimacy. Through rich colors and the communicative expressions of animals, it paints a fleeting, beautiful world where everything exists in perfect equality.