Draft:Sakamoto, Takamitsu

Takamitsu Sakamoto is a Japanese photographer whose work is on display around the world. His portraits have often been described as having captured the unique Japanese culture and style most associated with Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e).

Biography:

Nationality: Japanese

Date of Birth: April 11, 1980 (44 years old)

Birthplace: Totsuka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Shooting style: studio photography, advertising photography, fine art photography

Office: Sakamoto Photo Co., Ltd./MvVO ART

Notable Achievements:

2012

His work and portraits were featured in the Swiss art magazine riVierart, and he participated in art fairs in eight cities around the world.

Additionally, he exhibited his work at his Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany.

2013

He actively exhibited at seven art fairs mainly in Berlin. The solo exhibition in Berlin was accredited by the Embassy of Japan in Germany, the Berlin ASIA-PACIFIC WEEKS accredited cultural event, the German-Japanese Association, and the curator of a well-established auction house in Germany purchased the photographs.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set up an exhibition for the cultural event Cool Japan called “JP HOME'' in Milan, Italy. The Cool Japan event exhibits both modern and classical arts. Seven of his photographs were displayed there.

Additional contemporary exhibitions were held at the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, and other locations in Berlin, Germany.

2014

The Bieganski Art Festival exhibition was held in the Republic of Malta in July, and his works were exhibited and sold at a 4-star hotel.

At the request of the City of Berlin, he participated in the 20th anniversary celebration of Tokyo and Berlin as sister cities in a behind-the-scenes event.

In an original project, Sakamoto’s photos were showcased in a beautiful calendar given as a gift to viewers of the program Appare Kanagawa Grand March on tvK by host, Roku-san. Roku-san is a well known TV host, and the producer of the program was Taketomi.

2015

At a solo exhibition at a gallery in Berlin's Mitte district, his photographs were purchased by a long-established auction curator.

Additionally, his photos were included in an official booklet for the German-Japanese Association in Berlin. These photos were well received.

In the same year, Sakamoto’s photos were selected as the main visual for the Brazil Japan Festival’s 120th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Brazil.

His work was also exhibited at the Berlin Japan Festival.

He donated photos to the 4th generation of the Gucci family, Guccio Gucci.

2016

Sakamoto was selected as one of 60 up-and-coming artists from around the world by judges from several prominent art institutions in New York.

His work was exhibited at the National Arts Club for one month as an artist at The MvVo Accessible Art Fair. His photographs of models in beautiful kimonos was praised for capturing a style made famous by Japanese ukiyoe woodblock prints which are best known for beauty and simplicity.

His art was selected to be featured on FOX, one of the four major television networks in the United States.

Sakamoto caught the eye of Ethan Cohen, a prominent art dealer in NYC, who asked him to contact him when he had a new project ready.

Brussels airlines sponsored Sakamoto and nominated his art for an award. He received offers from European countries to display his work.

He appeared on Kundo Koyama's radio program FM YOKOHAMA 84.7 "FUTURESCAPE".

2017

One of his photographs was put on display in the official residence of the German Embassy in Japan.

Sakamoto received an offer from the Italian Embassy in Japan to showcase his work.

Deutsche Schule Tokyo Yokohama Donated six photos to the Tokyo Yokohama German Academy.

Sakamoto donated one of his photographs to the Italian royal family of Savoy, Crown Prince Emanuele Philiberto of Savoy (Duke of Piedmont and Duke of Venice).

The specialty printing company, FL Tokuyama, chose Sakamoto’s photos exclusively to introduce their new fresco style printing techniques and paper technology using gold as a component in the prints.

Michelin two-star restaurant Nabeno-Ism featured Sakamoto’s photo portrait of Chef Watanabe in their brochure.

Sakamoto was honored to take photos for the 35th anniversary event for Kou Shibusawa, a famous computer game designer.

2018

At the AD ART SHOW, organized and sponsored by MvVO ART, one of Sakamoto’s photos was exhibited and sold at Sotheby's NY headquarters.

Sakamoto appeared as a guest on the radio program TOKYO FM 80.0 "Momoiro Clover SUZUKI Happy Clover", and became the first host of the TV program "Okayama OHK Broadcast Oh! My Setouchi", in the first 38 episodes.

Later he joined the OH!My Setouchi Cheer Team and conducted charity activities with Aeon Style to donate picture books for children.

Sakamoto donated a collection of photos to Juan Puntes, the curator of the alternative art space Whiteboxnyc.

Sakamoto was chosen to photograph the works of furniture designer Toshiyuki Kita, and the works of environmental artist Hiroko Sai.

Later he took part in a panel discussion with commercial art designer Hiroko Hirose and the Commercial Department of the Austrian Embassy at Shibuya Loft.

2019

Sakamoto’s photo won a contest, and was displayed on a giant sign at 140 LINKNYC locations in Manhattan, New York, and at One World Trade Center at the AD ART SHOW 2019.

Sakamoto was selected as one of eight artists to be featured in the publication Oculus for artist of the week.

The Westfield company managing the World Trade Center, selected Sakamoto’s photo for the DURING NYCxDESIGN WORLD TRADE CENTER event to be displayed on the monumental digital screens. He was one of eight artists selected by the sponsors and curators of the event to be in the FEATURED ARTISTS OF THE WEEK. His work was displayed on a huge single signage. His work was highly rated and displayed above the main sponsor. He received high compliments from Jerry Saltz, a Pulitzer Prize winning art critic, and from MvVO ART CEO Maria Van Vlodrop, the organizer of this activity. ​

Shochiku Co Ltd. a film production company, introduced Sakamoto to Milan’s Theater NO’HMA from June 19th to the 20th. The Italian government officially nominated him and the group he directed, BUGAKUZA, for the International Drama Award held at Milan's Theater NO'HMA. He was the stage production director, and set photographer. He was also the local director of Bugakuza, a theater based in Tokyo that operates around the world. His photos are featured in the event promotions and on the website. https://bugaku.net/milan2019-prize/  Bugakuza, a unit of BUGAKU, performed in the international theatrical competition in Milan, Italy, on June 19 and 20. Later in November, after all the contestants performed there was a vote to determine the winners.

In September, environmental artist Sai Hiroko's 2020-meter long documentary photo shoot began. Sakamoto photographed the behind the scenes footage for the project.  

Additionally in September of that year, he started charity activities for children while supporting the activities of Minota, Shusaku's 1 Million Classical Live Foundation. This cultural charity event was to introduce classical music to millions of people with ticket sales benefiting children.

In October, Sakamoto introduced himself and his art to event attendees at the MvVO ART AD ART SHOW 2019 in a Sponsor & Partner video.

In November, the audience voted BUGUKUZA under the direction of Sakamoto as the winner. They won the highest award "1rt Premio del Pubblico" at the international theater awards recognized by the Italian government: INTERNATIONAL PRIZE, THE NAKED THEATER, TERESA POMODORO.

2020

January - February: Sakamoto participated as the stills photographer for the Kaneko-gumi, the latest feature film by film director Masakazu Kaneko (representative work: The Albino Tree).

In May, he became a founding member of a children's food emergency support project.

After passing the screening on May 1st, the work was displayed on the giant signage in AD ART SHOW 2020 One World Trade Center. Sakamoto became a partner of MvVO ART.

In July, Sakamoto had a guest appearance on Interfm897’s program HANAE JAPAN presents Flower's YELL.

In August, he participated in the "Cheer to Art! Tokyo Project '' sponsored by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government with flower painter Yasuhiko Fujikawa.

In December Sakamoto collaborated in a video with Yasuhiko Fujikawa. Mr. Fujikawa was selected as one of the best video works of the “Cheer to Art! Tokyo Project''. At the same time, it was announced as the best video in the category.

2021

In January, Sakamoto was the photographer for another episode of Minota, Shusaku's One Million People's Classical Live (https://1m-cl.com) charity musical concert.

In February, Sakamoto was the still photographer for the production of a video lecture by Isao Kumakura, honorary chairman of the National Council for Japanese Cuisine Culture.

He held a photo exhibition "Era Web Architects" in March. Sakamoto’s photographs were displayed on a giant signage inside One World Trade Center at the AD ART SHOW 2021 alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith’s paintings.

In June, he started a joint production of video and photographic works at the Minato Mirai Station atelier based on renowned Japanese artist Hiroko Sai's paintings.

In August, his works were exhibited at the FOCUS Art Fair LONDON 2021 at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London, UK. In September, Sakamoto’s photos were included in the book “Era Web Architects'' which is archived in the National Diet Library.

In November, his photographs were released for sale on the website "Little Language of Flowers" (https://www.e-printservice.net/content_detail/flower-language ) which depicts each flower representing a word or an idea. Production of the short film "HAZAMA" began that same year.

2022

In March, Sakamoto became the exclusive photographer for contemporary artist Takuma Tanaka. He showcased his work at Nagoya Sakae Mitsukoshi department store in Nagoya, Japan.

On May 1st, his work was selected again to be displayed inside One World Trade Center at the AD ART SHOW 2022.

In June, Toyama Prefecture, Takaoka City invited Sakamoto to photograph regional cultural treasures highlighting their arts and skills for the city’s Regional Revitalization Project: Launching the Future. This project focused on the prefecture’s traditional cultural industries to preserve them for future generations, and to generate interest in the younger generations.

2023

Sakamoto was appointed as a MvVO ART Brand Ambassador in April. In October, MvVO ART AD ART SHOW 2023 was held at PHA powerhouse art in Brooklyn, and TIME magazine's Creative Director Mr. D.W. Pine admired and spoke about his work.

Famous photographer and architect, Hiroshi Sugimoto is one of the main collectors of Sakamoto’s works.

Education:

1993 - Graduated from Yokohama City Higashitotsuka Elementary School 1996 - Graduated from Yokohama City Maioka Junior High School

1999 - Graduated from Yokohama Hayato High School

2002 - Graduated from Tokyo Seishin Culinary School, 2nd year majoring in French cuisine

2008 - Studied under my father, a photographer.

Work Experience:

2002-3 - Worked at French Culinary Culture Center FFCC

2006 - Worked at Fidelity Investment Trust Co., Ltd.

Awards and Accolades:

2010 - Received the Japan Portrait Photographers Association Newcomer Award (Judge: Photographer Hideki Hosoe)

2013 - Selected for the Japan Portrait Photographers Association Tomizo Yoshikawa Award (Judge: Tokyo Museum of Photography, Curator Ryuichi Kaneko)

2016 - Selected as MvVO ART EXHIBITING ARTIST, Brussels airlines art award nomination.

2017 - His photos are displayed in the official residence of the German Embassy in Japan.

2018 - His works were sold at Sotheby's NY headquarters.

2019 - Received the highest award "1rt Premio del Pubblico" at the international theater awards recognized by the Italian government: INTERNATIONAL PRIZE, THE NAKED THEATER, TERESA POMODORO.

2019 - Selected as The Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center during the  NYCxDESIGN World Trade Center on the monumental digital screens as the Featured Artists of the Week (USA NY).

2020 - The "Cheer to Art! Tokyo Project" selected one of his best video works. Also announced as the best video in the category.

2020 - Participated in the feature film “Ring Wandering” as a still photographer for the production company Kaneko Gumi.

2021 - The Publication of “Era Web Architects” book featuring his photos, is archived in the National Diet Library.

2021 - The content for the “Little Flower Language” featuring his photos was announced.

2022 - Toyama Prefecture Takaoka City started the Regional Revitalization Project Product = Launching the Future featuring Sakamoto’s photos.

2023 - Launched SAKAMOTO.LAB, a think-tank modeled on Business International to assist new companies with their business plans, cultivate new business lines, and network with like-minded business professionals.

2023 - Appointed as MvVO ART Brand Ambassador.

Domestic Solo Exhibitions:

Brillia Short Shorts Theater Gallery Series

2009 -  “Relationship between beauty and time”

2009 -  “Children’s Power” 2010 "Bride - Dreams become reality"

2010 -  "World Heritage Photo Exhibition - Heritage is heritage for a reason"

2010 - "Personnes" Photo Exhibition 2010"

2011 - “Artificial flowers and fresh flowers”

2011 - "City of Brothers and Sisters" 2012 “BUGAKU”

2012 - “Food and education ~Project for what children can do~”

2013 - “SAMURAI – a beauty of “balance” and “tension””

2014 - "HIKARI"

2016 - “Things I can do on my birthday”

2017 - “Where I was born”

2013 - “HIKARI Popeye Camera”

2015 - Yokohama Japanese-German Association 5th Anniversary Photo Exhibition

Domestic and Overseas Exhibitions:

2011 - 19th Hayama Art Festival

2015 -  Brazil Japan Festival - 120th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Brazil diplomatic relations - Main visual

2016 - RECTO VERSO GALLERY

Overseas Solo Exhibitions

2013 -  “SAMURAI – a beauty of “balance” and “tension”” Sponsored by the Japan Photographic Association

2015 - Berlin, Germany Sakamoto Takamitsu photo exhibition Subjects include Okura Touen Garden and Ito Jakuchu's grape-painted kimonos.

Milan, Italy “JP HOME”

Germany Berlin ILLING&VOSSBECK FOTOGRAFIE

Republic of Malta CAVALIERI ART HOTEL

Residence of the German Embassy in Japan

Overseas Exhibitions:

2015 - ILLING&VOSSBECK FOTOGRAFIE GALLERY Berlin Germany

2015 - Japan Festival Berlin Berlin Germany

2014 - THE BIEGANSKI ART FESTIVAL, Republic of Malta

2014 - THE Cavalieri Art Hotel GALLERY Republic of Malta

2013 - Luxury jewelry store SCHEMELTER Berlin Germany

2013 - BERLINER LISTE 2013 Berlin Germany

2013 - ILLING & VOSSBECK FOTOGRAFIE GALLERY Berlin Germany

2013 - Luxury frame shop, Kunstwerk Winkler GALLERY Berlin Germany

2013 - 3.11 Japan nuclear power plant Art Exhibition nuclear power plant Art Exhibition DEN GALLERY Berlin Germany

2013 -  FOUNTAIN ART FAIR NY AT THE ARMORY New York, USA

2013 - The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, contemporary exhibition in other Berlin, Germany 2012 - Charlottenburg Palace exhibition Berlin Germany

2012 - FOUNTAIN ART MIAMI Miami, USA

2012 - Sala dei Templari in Italiy 6th Italy 100 people Exhibition Italy

2012 - Shanghai Art Fair　Shanghai, China

2012 - Leipzig Spinnerei German-Japanese joint special exhibition Brandenburg Germany

2012 - Berlin, Germany Exhibition German-Japanese Association Berlin, Germany

2012 - Germany Leipzig Exhibition Leipzig Germany

2012 - Rathenow Cultural Center Exhibition Rathenow, Germany

2012 - FOUNTAIN ART FAIR NY AT THE ARMORY New York, USA

Media:

Television:

• July 19, 2014, August 2, August 23, September 27, November 15, January 10, 2015 Digital 3ch TV Kanagawa Appare KANAGAWA Grand March

• 2018, became the first host for the TV program "Okayama OHK Broadcast Oh! My Setouchi" (in charge of #1 to #38) every Monday from 9:54 PM.

Radio:

• May 22, 2014 Yokohama FM Broadcasting “E-ne! ~good for you~” Guest appearance

• October 29, 2015 Music Bird Nose Hair Thumbelina Princess's "Oto Machi" ~ Uta Meguri Machi Meguri ~ National C-FM Net Guest Appearance

• June 19th and 26th, 2016 Yokohama FM Broadcasting “JAL presents FLYING HEART” Tatsuya Ishii guest appearance 2016 Guest appearance on Kundo Koyama's radio program FM YOKOHAMA 84.7 "FUTURESCAPE"

• 2018 TOKYOFM 80.0 “Momoiro Clover SUZUKI Happy Clover”.

• 2019 Interfm897 July HANAE JAPAN presents Flower's YELL.

Memberships and Charities:

• Japan PEN Club regular member
• Yokohama Japanese-German Association Japan-British Society
• Founder of Children's Food Emergency Support Project

Art Fairs:

2015

• ILLING&VOSSBECK FOTOGRAFIE GALLERY, Berlin Germany ベルリン ドイ
• Japan Festival Berlin , Berlin Germany ベルリン ドイツ

2014

• THE BIEGANSKI ART FESTIVAL Republic of Marla マルタ
• THE Cavalieri Art Hotel GALLERY Republic of Malta マルタ

2013

• Luxury jewelry store SCHEMELTER, Berlin Germany  ベルリン ドイツ
• BERLINER LISTE2013,  Berlin Germany ベルリン ドイツ
• ILLING&VOSSBECK FOTOGRAFIE GALLERY, Berlin Germany  ベルリン ドイツ
• Luxury frame shop Kunstwerk Winkler GALLERY, Berlin Germany  ベルリン ドイツ
• 3.11 Japan nuclear power plant Art Exhibition nuclear power plant Art Exhibition DEN GALLERY,  Berlin Germany ベルリン ドイツ
• FOUNTAIN ART FAIR NY AT THE ARMORY, NY United States  アメリカ ニューヨー
• The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, contemporary exhibition in other,  Berlin Germany ベルリン ドイツ

2012

• Charlottenburg Palace exhibition, Berlin Germany ベルリン ドイツ
• FOUNTAIN ART MIAMI, Miami United States アメリカ マイアミ
• Sala dei Templari in Italiy 6th Italy 100 people Exhibition, Italy イタリア
• Shanghai Art Fair, Shanghai China　中国　上海
• Leipzig Spinnerei German-Japanese joint special exhibition Brandenburg, Germany ドイツ
• Berlin, Germany Exhibition German-Japanese Association,  Berlin Germany 　ベルリ ドイツ
• Germany Leipzig Exhibition, Germany
• Rathenow Cultural Center Exhibition Rathenow, Germany ドイツ
• FOUNTAIN ART FAIR NY AT THE ARMORY, NY United States  アメリカ　ニューヨーク

Private Donations:

GUCCI;

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