Sugimoto’s writings are mathematical. He removes the grit, the people, and the politics. He asks: What does the last light look like to a stone? The answer is a study in minimalism. His sunsets are not sad; they are patient. They remind the viewer that human emotion is a fleeting overlay on a cosmic clockwork. In the Western tradition, a sunset is a performance; for Sugimoto, it is a fact.
Originally published in 2005 (some records note a 2006 edition). setting sun writings by japanese photographers
If you are looking for writings specifically covering the photographers often associated with this aesthetic (Moriyama, Fukase, Tomatsu), the following papers and essays are critical: Sugimoto’s writings are mathematical
Examining the physical and cultural environment of a changing Japan. Notable Voices The answer is a study in minimalism
Known for his prolific and controversial work, contributing essays on the "photo apparatus" and deeply personal sentimentalism. Eikoh Hosoe: