Interview Atsuko Maeda x Nanao “Atsuko Maeda's“ Moon ”Exhibition” | "What is I?" A photo of one year and seven months to unravel the human being Atsuko Maeda

"Month" began with a single DM.
Dialogue with Atsuko Maeda, a human being, and release the shutter.

The moon project started when photographer Nanao sent a DM from Instagram at the moment Atsuko Maeda announced his independence on December 22, 2020. "When Achan made an announcement of independence," I definitely want to shoot! " I sent a DM with my thoughts. Think of any future developments…It wasn't that, but I sent it intuitively. Then I was followed by Instagram from Achan, and then I received a DM immediately. "I can't believe it!" Of course, the feeling was great, but on the other hand, he said, "This may be taken." I can't explain why I thought so well.…Originally, I was a fan of Achan for 13 years, so it's like a dream, but I thought somewhere that might fit something. "It was a feeling of excitement and calmness living together," Nanao recalls the beginning of the moon.

From the full moon to the new moon, full, missing, missing, full.…Every day, the rhythm of the moon, which looks slightly different, synchronizes with Atsuko Maeda's appearance in the moon. "I think the cycle of the moon is similar to human emotions. If you look at the past year and seven months old, there are some smiling faces when you are full, while others are a bit spicy when you are missing. But that's a very human-like thing," says Nanao.

The pain and pain are exposed without hiding.
The charm of Atsuko Maeda without a lie

Shortly after the exchange at DM, Atsuko Maeda and Nanao meet at the cafe. We talked about each other in an open mind. "I really don't see DM, but for some reason the DM from Datchey came into my eyes. When I opened it, I received a very hot and straight message. I immediately saw the homepage, and the moment I saw it, I thought it was wonderful. I was also attracted to the fact that many women were taken. I like women's photos taken by women. "I wonder if I can take a picture like this." That's why I replied, "Let's meet and talk once," says Maeda.

Thus, the filming of the Moon started in January 2021. At the "Moon Moon" exhibition, photos of one year and seven months are displayed on a monthly basis, and the impressive words that Mr. Maeda spoke casually at the time of shooting are also spelled out. "The concept of the exhibition is 'What is I?" 。 This is the word of Achan that came out during the shooting in June 2022. When I listened well, I said that I had troubles and conflicts as a woman. She shows a really happy smile when she is happy, and when she is painful, she looks painful without hiding it-now, because of the influence of SNS, it seems that something sparkling with a smile is good However, I think that the painful parts are also life, so I think that Achan, who can go out the painful and painful places properly, is really wonderful. The concept of "moon moon" is to want you to feel the undecorative personality of Achan. This exhibition is designed to allow you to relive the one year and seven months of a woman named Atsuko Maeda." After talking so, Nanao said, "The music that is playing now is a playlist created for this exhibition. The incense wraps around the venue also told me that Achan's favorite scent is burning at home. " See the pictures, touch the words, listen to the sound, and enjoy the scent.…When you spend time in the space of the moon, you can feel that the five senses are gradually opened.

"It's like my heart
It's clearly visible in the picture."

When I asked which one of the most favorite photos for photographer Nanao, I stopped before February 2022, the biggest photo at the exhibition hall. "At this time, she was a little tired.…。 I took it in Yotsuya in the evening, but the feeling of this sunset and the flare that came in by accident were very ephemeral, but very strong. At this time, I've been shooting Achan for a year and two months. I guess it was a picture taken because it was the second month of the year. I think it's one that I couldn't take unless it's a moon."

——I want to be serious. If you only do the actors, you'll get stuck.

The word displayed next to the photo of February 2022 that Nanao likes most. I asked Mr. Maeda what kind of feeling it was taken. "At this time, I was very nervous about my work. I think it's winter. I don't have much energy in winter (laughs). It was quite a time when I had to bear it in terms of work.…I took a picture when I felt a lot of things. At that time, the emotions at that time were cut out in Dachie's photo. There are a lot of things that only I and Ditch can understand, but since they are taking pictures while talking about the feelings of that moment, things like my heart are very clearly shown in the picture."

Share a step as a woman
A diary of Atsuko Maeda's growth taken by photographer Nanao

"Before the first shooting in January 2021, when we had tea together, I told you that Datchy was pregnant. "Yeah!" I started shooting from that point (laughs). Every month I meet you every month, Datchie's stomach grew bigger and bigger, I was born in no time, hug it, and met my husband.…。 I think he is a person who is walking together as a woman. Even at the end of the month, "Don't stop shooting!" I'm very happy and remember that I was taken with a big stomach. The shooting in October 2021 was a photo taken when I took my son to shoot and played sideways." (Maeda). Maeda, the mother of one child, staring at the camera with a calm expression, can be seen in a 2021 photo.

"In both my work and private life, the one who sees me closest. I don't understand myself well (laughs), but they take pictures of things that can only be seen by Dutch who are watching nearby. Do you mean that the Dutch on my side reflects me from an objective point of view? The photo of the moon is also a growth diary, a proof that I have lived. I would be glad if you could see Atsuko Maeda, a human being."