First Solo Exhibition in Shanghai, "Hikari": Takaaki Sano’s Debut and Growth as a Photographer in China

In 2015, Takaaki Sano began his career as a photographer. His journey started with his first solo exhibition, "Hikari," in Shanghai, China. Originally living in Japan, Sano relocated to Shanghai when he secured a job there. Around that time, a friend known as “Homeless Kotani” visited him in Shanghai and introduced him to the gallery DA ATTIC. It was a new place and a new gallery, filling Sano with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Since he had been printing his photos in family albums, he brought one as a gift.

The gallery itself was a hidden gem, located in an attic of a building. When Sano showed the album to the owner, C.C., he empathized, saying, “I understand” in Japanese and expressed his desire to support underground artists rather than mainstream ones. C.C. then invited Sano to hold a month-long solo exhibition at the gallery.

The theme of the exhibition, "Hikari" (light), represented Sano’s teenage memories of solitude, especially the light of the setting sun. This theme encompassed contrasts between light and darkness, hope and loneliness, and invited viewers to use their imagination. Sano also received support from artist Toru Harada in preparing for the exhibition.

Once the exhibition began, C.C. actively promoted it, introducing it to a wide audience. Among the visitors were musicians who were performing in China, filling the exhibition space to capacity on certain days. At that time, Sano didn’t have business cards, so he cut memo paper into business card size and wrote his information by hand. This unique approach gained attention on social media, drawing even more visitors to the exhibition.

Exhibition in Hangzhou: A New Challenge at Kaoru Inoue’s Event

While the exhibition in Shanghai was still ongoing, C.C. unexpectedly invited Sano to exhibit his work at an event by DJ Kaoru Inoue (a.k.a. Chari Chari) in Hangzhou. The venue, a youth hostel, offered an open space, quite different from a traditional gallery. Upon arriving, Sano found that the curator, Tama-chan, had already begun setting up, and his works were beautifully framed. This exhibition featured photos capturing fleeting moments in nature, such as a scene with silver grass and sunlight and another showing snow crystals, leaving a strong impression on many visitors.

Reflecting on these experiences, Sano said, "In China, there is a lot of support around artists so they can focus solely on their work." His pieces often carried a deep reflection of his feelings for a loved one, as he noted, “Having someone you love dramatically enhances the quality of your work.” The energy of love was vividly present in his work at the time, allowing viewers to feel his emotions through his photographs.

The Impact of His Experiences in China

Through these exhibitions in Shanghai and Hangzhou, Sano’s presence in the Chinese art scene grew. With the support of his friends, the cooperation of Chinese galleries, and his dedication to a loved one, he achieved notable success despite his lack of solo exhibition experience. After these experiences, he launched his photography career in Japan the following year, laying the foundation for what would become a decade-long career.

The exhibitions in Shanghai and Hangzhou were not merely part of his work; they were pivotal moments for Sano to discover and develop himself as a photographer. Through these experiences, the story of Sano’s debut and growth as an artist in China comes to life.

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