Taka Ishii Gallery Photography / Film is pleased to present “Frank Lloyd Wright,” a solo exhibition of works by Yukio Futagawa. Futagawa, who passed away in March 2013, founded the architectural publishing company A.D.A. EDITA Tokyo in 1970 and produced, using his discerning eye, an influential body of frank, lucid criticism. “Frank Lloyd Wright” will be Futagawa’s first solo exhibition at Taka Ishii Gallery and include approximately 20 photographs of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural works, which Futagawa shot over twenty years while working as an architectural journalist and critic.

I believe that one has to see the actual building to evaluate it… Architecture does not exist independently. It developed under the influence of such things as local climate and other environmental conditions. And architects have always traveled. Modern masters, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, and Louis Khan have all written great travelogues… Since 1959, I have spent eight months out of the year outside Japan, and I travel all over Japan when I am here the rest of the year. By traveling, I learn not only about architecture, but also various cuisines and clothing. I travel to experience the various cultures of plains, mountains, and cities. I shall turn 77 this year, but have no plans to alter my travel schedule, as I want to continue studying and discerning architecture.
- Afterword from Yukio Futagawa, GA Nikki [GA Diary] (A.D.A. EDITA Tokyo Co., Ltd., 2009)

Yukio Futagawa traveled and shot architectural photographs for over 60 years. His journey began with traditional Japanese homes and culminated in visits to architectural works around the world. His colossal, critical project crossed the space-time of architectural history and evaluated anonymously produced traditional Japanese homes; majestic, classic buildings; and graceful works of modernist architecture using the same criteria. Futagawa devoted a significant amount of time to travel to see the works of American modernist architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Futagawa visited each of Wright’s approximately 400 existing works to study their essence and capture them photographically. Wright was an important subject for Futagwa. He repeatedly visited and photographed Wright’s best works as his desire for knowledge grew stronger.
- Yoshio Futagawa, December 2013

*image (left)
© Yukio Futagawa
courtesy of the artist and Taka Ishii Gallery