Fabulous twins Erna and Hrefna in the "Twins" project by Japanese photographer Ariko Inaoka

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Japanese photographer Ariko Inaoka I first met the twins while filming the Icelandic landscapes. Since then, that is, since 2009, Ariko has been returning there to preserve the changes that have occurred with the girls on film. The project will cover their age from 9 to 16 years old. Erna and Hrefna are sensual, energetic, independent and liberated girls who, thanks to the talent of a photographer, take viewers into a fictional reality - a world of fairy tales and dreams.

- First, tell us a little about yourself. I was born and raised in Japan, in the city of Kyoto. At the age of 17 she moved to America, where she began photographing. I really enjoyed the shooting process, so I decided to go to art school to delve deeper into photography. Then I moved to New York where I started my professional career as a photographer. I've always liked films and painting, so color photography only opened up a new level of art for me. At first I took both black and white pictures and color, but later I realized that it was very difficult to focus on two different styles, so I decided to stick to the second one. At the beginning of my career, I was in commercial filming to earn my living. But at the age of 27, I realized that fashion shooting, limited to certain frames, was not my main goal. At about the same time I went to Iceland.

- What inspired you to create the Gemini series?

I met these amazing girls while shooting the Icelandic landscapes. It all started in New York, when I got a job with the Japanese designer Mina Perhonen. I had to shoot 10 models for the catalog and the twins eventually became part of the working group. My best friend in Iceland helped me with the casting. She saw two girls in the pool and thought, "Perhaps they will be good models in the new Ariko photo shoot." Now I fly to Iceland every year and continue to work on the project.- How many years have you been working with girls?

For about 4 years I have been photographing and at the same time shooting a film.

- How would you describe your photos to a stranger? Perhaps for someone who is not very familiar with photography.

To be honest, I cannot describe it in a nutshell since I am working with a theme or concept. This is something very personal. I just rely on my intuition. After I finish the project, I don’t come back to this topic. For example, I no longer photograph Icelandic landscapes. I would not want the viewer to feel the same way as I do. It is important not only to see beauty, but also to find something special, unique in it, which others will not be able to notice.

- There is no doubt that you love to travel. Which country attracts you the most as a filming location and why?

First of all, this is Iceland. India is the second most attractive country on my list. I believe more in invisible things than visible ones. India is a kind of symbol of what I am talking about. From the age of 18 I dreamed of visiting this country, and the dream came true when I was working on one of the projects, photographing tourists in India who were looking for their own spirituality. Undoubtedly, this country is the most suitable place to practice meditation and start searching for yourself. I think this is the main reason that influenced my choice.

- What to expect from you in the future?

I cannot live without creativity, so there is not even a thought of stopping. If I find a more exciting creative path, then I will definitely choose it. But today it is photography, and so far there are no other alternatives for me.

According to the theory, each of us has a double, but not everyone dares to search for it. Photographer François Brunelle has been doing this all his life. For more than 4 years he has been looking for and photographing such "twins" who are not only not relatives, but often do not even know about each other's existence.