Sakiko Nomura’s “Träumerei” consists of five black and white works with two images printed on the top and bottom, and one still life photograph of flowers taken in Nomura’s hometown of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The portfolio title is known as a piano song by German composer Robert Schumann, and is a word that means “dream” or “reverie.” As suggested by these words, the six works featured here are characterized by a mixture of travel memories and intimacy, and are reminiscent of images that resemble daydreams. Although the city is the title of the work, the two different images were not necessarily taken there, but rather the title was given to each set of two photographs that Nomura put together when creating this portfolio.
Set of 6 black and white collotype prints printed by Benrido, Inc.
Print Size: 25.4 x 20.3cm. Case Size: 20.6 x 25.8 x 0.8cm
In the 1880s, the collotype printing process was introduced to Kyoto and in 1905 Benrido began producing collotypes. Collotype is one of the earliest forms of printing techniques and was invented in France in 1855 by Alphonse Poitevin as a method for photographic fine art printing. Due to the high level of print and archival quality, it has since been used primarily as a way to reproduce and preserve Japan’s National Treasures and cultural properties. Today Benrido Collotype Atelier remains as one of only a few studios left in the world capable of producing fine colour collotype prints.