Jiro Hiraike: A Mathematical Mind Behind the Camera
Jiro Hiraike approaches photography from an unconventional perspective, shaped not by formal artistic training but by his background in mathematics. His early academic focus on logic and structure continues to inform his creative process, enabling him to construct images with a meticulous attention to order and relationships. While many photographers rely on instinct and emotion to frame their compositions, Hiraike takes a methodical approach, considering how each element interacts within the frame. His understanding of mathematical structures influences the way he perceives spatial relationships, patterns, and visual harmony in his work.
Despite his analytical foundation, Hiraike’s art is not solely defined by technical precision. A significant aspect of his creative philosophy is rooted in Buddhist thought, particularly the concept of emptiness. In Buddhist philosophy, emptiness does not signify a void but rather the interdependence of all things—nothing exists in isolation. This perspective deeply informs his work, leading him to explore themes of perception, time, and existence. His images are not merely visual records but reflections of an underlying philosophical inquiry.
Hiraike categorizes his photographic works into two distinct themes: metaphysical and historical. The metaphysical images revolve around the exploration of emptiness, time, and cognition, while the historical works pay homage to artistic traditions and styles of the past. These two approaches, though distinct, are connected by his logical methodology and conceptual rigor. Through both, he challenges the viewer’s perception, encouraging deeper contemplation about what is seen, what is remembered, and what is ultimately real.
