This extraordinary collection consists of two series of photographs that have been Mikiya Takimoto’s lifework: Space, a collection of portraits of the new space shuttle which were taken during numerous visits to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, and Land, in which he has documented the ancient tranquility of the living Earth. The laws of life and the universe are expressed through the interplay between these two completely different series of images.

To accompany these monumental photographs, the afterword is written by Keiichiro Hirano, who shares his feelings upon discovering the series, as well as his interpretation of Takimoto's vision.

A Japanese photographer and cinematographer born in Aichi in 1974, Mikiya Takimoto began taking photographs at the age of 16. He worked at various studios, including that of Tamotsu Fujii, before becoming independent in 1998.

In addition to his photographic work, he has collaborated with director Hirokazu Kore-eda on films such as Soshite Chichi ni Naru (“Like Father, Like Son”), which won the Jury Prize at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, and Sandome no Satsujin (“The Third Murder”), which competed at the 2017 festival.

Mikiya Takimoto's photographic work is deeply rooted in time, spanning the seven continents, often captured under extreme conditions and complex protocols. Achieving these unique images requires a prolonged photographic process, each carrying the symbolism of a global movement. His work has been published in a dozen books and displayed in numerous exhibitions.