First-ever trip to Brazil
----To the other side of the world, a 30 hour voyage
I released my previous photo book, which was shot in Morocco, four years ago. Moreover, I celebrated my 10th anniversary. That’s why another photo book has been released after such a long time. This time the location was on the other side of the world: Brazil. If I was going to release another photo book, I wanted to shoot it, full of excitement, in a place of which I wasn’t sure if I could ever go there. Furthermore, Brazil will host the summer Olympics in two years, and it will host the FIFA World Cup in four years. That’s partly why I felt that it would be nice to show everyone Brazil’s greatness through photos before that time.
Having said that, it takes 30 hours to reach Brazil from Japan. Because just getting there already takes up a lot of time, the time I could spent shooting was limited. But I absolutely wanted to make an even better photo book that last time. That’s why I just worked my hardest from the day I arrived in Brazil without setting up a schedule or anything.
We first started at a place in Rio that was full of shops. All the things that were sold there were incredibly cute. Also, the trees in a park nearby looked like they came from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. And all the samba dancers who danced with me were burning with passion! Thanks to them, I thought ‘maybe there’s Latin-American blood flowing inside me too’ (laughter). I got all pumped up. As a result I feel this book is something that could only have been shot in Brazil and nowhere else. I held that belief since the very first day and I am truly happy that I did.
The theme: my natural self
By the way, quite a lot of the small items seen in this photo book are mine. Nearly all of the sunglasses are mine, and some of my accessories, shoes and favourite things were used. I feel I could really be myself thanks to that. Especially thanks to the shoes. Because those shoes are the things that will lead me to the future. I wanted to walk with my beloved shoes in Brazil, in a place that will develop further in the future. In the end I am an artist, so to be honest, I felt some reluctance about releasing a photo book. That’s why I wanted to convey the things I feel through the image of Koda Kumi if I really was going to release one anyway. I carried such an alternate theme inside me. Different from decorative world view expressed in the Morocco photo book, I wanted to use various of my personal things in this photo book in order to show as much of my natural self as possible.
In addition, the fact that a close friend of mine came along with me was also an important reason why I could be myself. Of course when we were shooting she spent the time alone. But she has a very open personality, so she really blended in with the local people. When I suddenly looked over my shoulder during the shoot at Ipanema beach, she was playing with a ball with some kids. Just by asking ‘Can I?’, she joined their group (laughter). Maybe it is a national trait of Latin Americans. The people are all very friendly. There are many warm and happy people. These aspects also made me feel that Brazil is a really beautiful country.
I also tried out capoeira at Ipanema beach. I have practiced capoeira before in FREAKY’s PV, so I thought I should try and do it. The people there were really great. We did it in the sand, so you use much more body strength than usual. I couldn’t last more than a minute. But everyone else had no problem doing back flips and I felt like ‘eee~h’ (laughter). I think it’s impossible for me to ever be that good.
On the third day we went to an island called Ila Grande. That place was really awesome! I stayed in a huge cottage called the honeymoon suite with my close friend (laughter). The rooms were so pretty that I thought ‘I want to live in a house like this!’. I woke up at 5 o ‘clock because of my jetlag, but when I watched the sea as I drank my orange juice in the morning light, I realized how at ease my mind felt. It might be because I normally live in the glaring city, but I was surprised that such a place existed. A place that is so soothing, or how should I put it, a place in which I can feel so calm. It might be because of that setting that I could put across a new, dressed in unusually fancy clothes Koda Kumi in the photos on that island. I really like them.
Right! I was also blessed with great weather. I heard the weather was bad up until the morning we arrived, but the weather was good during our four day stay. It only rained on the last day. The local people also said the weather was like a miracle. Someone used her sun powers... that person would be me (laughter). The afternoon sun, and of course the sunset, were both gorgeous. Every single place was picturesque, so I think you can also enjoy this side of Brazil’s beauty in this photo book.
Speaking of beauty, I recommend the city Parati! The townscape looks really cute, and every single thing that is sold there is stylish. That’s why I shopped so much that I forgot all about the shooting (laughter). Furniture, clothes, accessories, miscellaneous goods; all the things in that city are cute! Girls would absolutely love it.
A city where light and shadow exist side by side. Taking in everything…
But those beautiful places are only one side of the coin. Brazil also has a hidden dark side. I shot in a slum settlement called favela. Normally there’s no way you could enter, but we could go there thanks to the owner of a hotel we stayed in when we were in Ila Grande. As expected, the atmosphere was truly different from all the other places, but I feel I saw the shadow side of cheery Brazil. I feel that Brazil’s real form is a place where light and shadow exist side by side. I feel it’s very meaningful that I could also leave that side in my photo book. I didn’t go to Brazil just for sightseeing or just for commemoration, I chose Brazil because I want to send out some kind of message as an artist. That’s why I want the people who pick up this book to feel something. It would be great if this shadow side called favela will be improved because of the fact that Brazil is hosting the Olympics and the World Cup. I wish it will be.
I had never gone to Brazil before, so before I went I wondered ‘What will it be like?’. I was both excited and nervous. But my impression after having been there... It has exceeded my expectations; it’s a gorgeous country. The sceneries and the atmosphere in the cities were wonderful and all the people were kind. Our last location was of course a soccer field. The supporters crowded together happily and let us photograph them. The women were beautiful, and the men were gentleman-like and handsome, so it’s a feast for your eyes (laughter). I really had a great time. That’s why I want to visit Brazil again, ever though it’s far away. I want Koda Kumi to be appointed as Brazil’s goodwill ambassador (laughter).
I am very satisfied with how this photo book turned out. Compared to Morocco we only had half the amount of days to shoot, but in the end we took more pictures. I think we made a well worth, impressive photo book in such a short time. I would be extremely happy if someone would look at this book and think ‘I want to go to Brazil!’. The food is tasty, and you only need the words ‘Can I?’ (laughter). So I want people who are interested to definitely go there once!
Koda Kumi
----With the use of 5 keywords, she talks about the last ten years
more to come~