While on assignment in Tokyo, photojournalist Gilles Mingasson ventured beyond the city's familiar urban spectacle into the narrow alleys of its working- and middle-class neighbourhoods. Here, he encountered a slower-paced world, where everyday rhythms seemed far removed from the aesthetics of global urban culture. Looking beyond familiar images of the Japanese capital, Mingasson draws attention to the visual contrasts and subtle compositions embedded in its everyday surroundings. His photographs transform seemingly mundane scenes into moments of quiet strangeness, inviting viewers to look at the city anew. Without a fixed route or predetermined subject, Mingasson moved through Tokyo guided by curiosity, allowing encounters and observations to determine the direction of his photography. The resulting body of work reflects a city that can be observed closely but never entirely deciphered.
