"Miraculous Recovery and a New Challenge: The Journey of Photographer Takaaki Sano's 'Berlin 15 Days'

This August, I created a street photo album titled ‘Berlin 15 Days’ during a 15-day journey through Berlin. This two-volume album, containing a total of 550 L-size photos, chronicles my daily experiences in Berlin, inviting viewers into the vibrant streets of the city. It captures Berlin's diverse and rich culture, as well as my new challenges as a photographer.

In fact, there is a profound story behind this trip. In May of this year, I suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. The doctor told me that it would take three months to recover, making it nearly impossible to realize my plan to visit Berlin in August. However, I didn’t give up. I was determined to make this trip happen and to pave the way for my future as an artist in Berlin.

Why Berlin? As I marked the 10th anniversary of my career as a photographer, I began to feel the limitations of my activities within Japan. Around that time, many Europeans started purchasing my work from my online store, opening my eyes to the potential for activities in Europe. I used the funds from those sales to buy a round-trip ticket to Berlin. Moreover, Berlin is a city with strong connections to artists who have influenced me, such as Hanayo (photographer) and the late Fujiko Hemming. It was a place I felt I had to visit.

But just after purchasing the ticket, I faced the unexpected ordeal of hospitalization. All I could do was focus on healing my body. I spent my days resting, drawing, writing a diary, and immersing myself in art, literature, and walking. Miraculously, I was able to be discharged in just one month.

Even after being discharged, I struggled to get permission to travel and to arrange my medication, but I finally made it to Berlin. With no connections or network, I roamed the city for two weeks with just my camera, capturing the city's pulse daily. The people I met, the awe-inspiring architecture, the positive feedback on my work from locals, and the dialogues with people of different faiths wishing for peace — all these experiences were a great encouragement for me.

In my teens, I was a shut-in for seven years and couldn’t even speak with people. Yet here I was in Berlin, a foreign city, challenging myself to achieve my dream. This album is filled with the record of my growth and challenges. I hope you will pick up ‘Berlin 15 Days’ and feel the Berlin I saw and experienced through these 550 photographs.

At the photo exhibition venue, you can view this album, and individual photos will also be available for sale. I warmly invite you to visit Liike on the days I’ll be there. I look forward to meeting you. And please, take me back to Berlin again!

個展『HIDDEN』 | Takaaki Sano 佐野 貴明

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