Setouchi Living Photography Exhibition 'Distant Blue' | Photographers Koki Manju, Kento Hirasue, and Utaumi

The mountains, the sea, and the sky—
The distant places are pale and blue.

If memories had a color,
perhaps they too would be blue.

What shade of blue do the memories and recollections of that day hold?

These are the words woven by the photographers Koki Manju, Kento Hirasue, and Utaumi, who are jointly presenting the Setouchi Living Photography Exhibition 'Distant Blue.' Through the landscapes of the Seto Inland Sea, this exhibition offers a special time—a journey through memories. From December 1 to 25, 2023, the group exhibition 'Setouchi Living Photography Exhibition: Distant Blue' will be held at ONOMICHI U2 in Onomichi, Hiroshima. We interviewed Manju, Hirasue, and Utaumi about the message behind this exhibition—please enjoy reading their insights.

Q. Was there a particular reason or catalyst for the three of you deciding to hold this exhibition together?

Manju: Someone from U2 approached me and Utaumi about holding an exhibition, and at that moment, I thought it would be great to include Hirasue as well and do it as a trio. Hirasue and I form the photography unit 'calm,' and as I work with Utaumi as a photography partner, we naturally spent more time together as three. The idea came from wanting to leave something behind that represents the three of us.

The three of us met in Okayama because of our shared love for the sea, and together we have accumulated many memories. As time passes and our daily thoughts gradually shift, when we sought a common form of expression, the phrase 'the distant blue sea' came to mind.

Hirasue: I've always liked the word 'distant,' and Utaumi added, 'The distance is blue, isn't it...?' Although it's rare for the three of us to gather, it's almost miraculous that we can hold an exhibition with a theme that naturally resonates with all of us. At the same time, it also feels like an extension of our everyday lives. I'm happy that we can do this together, and it brings a sense of calm.

Q. Is there a message you would like to share with visitors to the exhibition?
Hirasue: I've come to think of blue as a color connected to memory. For example, youth. Blue is a color that evokes youthfulness and brings back memories of the past. But even within 'blue,' there are countless gradations. I would like to ask visitors, 'What shade of blue is yours?'

Utaumi: That's right. The overarching theme of this exhibition is to express the atmosphere that exists alongside daily life in Okayama and the Seto Inland Sea. Of course, I would be happy if visitors take their time to appreciate the photographs, but I also hope they can relax and enjoy the space and music with a drink in hand, experiencing the exhibition as an extension of daily life.

Manju: I believe that the experience of viewing photographs outside of social media is extremely valuable in today's world. The photographs we take are intentionally subtle in color, focusing on the gentleness of everyday life rather than strong, striking images. That's why we chose to present our works in an exhibition space that feels close to daily living.

I think it's already significant that our generation, who came up through social media, is now holding a physical exhibition. As Utaumi mentioned, I hope people will drop by casually and spend a pleasant time here. The photographs on display, especially those from Onomichi and the Seto Inland Sea region, depict everyday scenes, but I hope that visitors will discover the beauty of reflecting on the ordinary.