River Series / Shadow,

2002

Hatakeyama, with a scientific eye and appreciation for the sublime, employs photography to illustrate the tension between nature and culture. His pictures not only demonstrate how humanity shapes the environment but also how these altered environments shape humanity. Hatakeyama investigates the hidden systems, such as the sewers and subterranean riverways, that flow through Tokyo. Here, the night sky and street lights are reflected in a rippling manmade stream, creating a serene, impressionistic view of the bustling metropolis. Upon closer inspection, however, sewage, litter, and traces of urban life and human consumption can be found, highlighting the beauty and destruction that infrastructure produces.