The Paradoxes Of Living In A Big City
- Words
- Monika Mróz
Life in a bustling metropolis may sometimes evoke a feeling of alienation and being alone in a crowd. Japanese photographer Shin Noguchi captured just that by shooting the people on the streets of Tokyo. However, in a contradiction to the first thoughts the images may provoke, the message was: “You are not alone at all.”
‘Sorry, You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was aimed at capturing the contradictions of the contemporary world – while human nature tells us to be with the others, we’ve created complex societies that make the individuals feel alienated like never before. However, it seems like at the same time it is not possible to actually have a moment on your own in this vigorous and busy world. “There must be someone in the society keeping an eye on your struggle for living,” Noguchi seems to say as he points out the camera on the strangers passing by.
Noguchi, who lives and works in Kamakura, Tokyo in Japan, says: “Street photography always displays the truth. The truth I talk about isn’t necessarily what I can see, but what also exists in society, on the street, in people’s life. I always try to capture this reality beyond my own values and perspective.”
All images © Shin Noguchi
