インタビュー・対談シリーズ『私の哲学』
Presented by "My Philosophy®︎"
Vol.18　Roland Kirishima

Roland Kirishima, who excels beyond the typical framework of a photographer, takes on roles such as planning and directing for magazines, advertisements, and promotional videos, as well as product design. We spoke with him about his work methods and lifestyle, which are shaped by his experiences growing up in New York from a young age and viewing the world as his "field."

Japanese

Profile

Vol.18 Roland Kirishima

Photographer | Multi-Creator
Roland Kirishima graduated from the Department of Photography at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. He moved to New York in the third grade and began his career there after graduating from university. In 1993, he shifted his base of operations from New York to Tokyo as a photographer. His main work includes magazines (such as "UOMO" and "ELLE JAPON”), advertisements (for "BRAUN", "UNIQLO", "Adidas", and more), and music videos (he won the 2003 MTV Award for Best R&B Video for Crystal Kay's music video). Beyond these, he freely operates outside the confines of his job title, producing PC designs (like the "CONCEPT?R" for Hoshino Metals) and designing the Christmas tree for Roppongi Hills. In 2007, he competed in the motorcycle division of the Paris-Dakar Rally for the first time and completed the race.

For more information, visit: http://rowland.jp/

*Titles and other information are as of the interview date in June 2013.

A Competitive Society with Global Talent

At the age of 17, having returned to Japan after living in New York, I boldly pitched myself to a photographer and secured a summer job as an assistant. This experience directly sparked my interest in becoming a photographer. I had this baseless confidence that I could do the job, which led me to enroll in the Photography Department at New York University. Knowing I couldn’t be a salaried employee and unable to follow in my parent’s footsteps as a writer, I was, in a sense, desperate. By my senior year, without dropping out, I managed to use the internship system to gain access to the editorial department of “VANITY FAIR” magazine. The editorial department was a daily hub for world-class photographers who came to pitch their work and complete assignments—Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino, Herb Ritts. I witnessed a highly competitive environment where they aggressively vied for work.

Being on set with these photographers as an intern was both shocking and disheartening. The overwhelming talent and extraordinary skills were daunting. It was clear that their level was vastly different from mine, a mere student. Despite the painful realization that there was no place for me among such remarkable talents, I spent my days pulling together connections, trying to secure any job related to photography.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Realizing that the path of a photographer was challenging, I first attempted to become a location coordinator. Thanks to my photography background, I already possessed a sense of and know-how about New York’s location guide. However, just as I decided to make a living in this field, I inadvertently threw a wrench in a Japanese drama shoot while working with the location team. On the day of the shoot, a DJ, who had a crucial role in the drama and was supposed to be on set, caused trouble and ended up being taken to jail instead. This led to the cancellation of a large-scale shoot that even involved arranging a helicopter. I had to resign from my position as a coordinator to take responsibility for the mishap, which was quite a blow. However, I decided it was the right time to pursue my long-held ambition of becoming a photographer, so I returned to Japan after working in New York for a while.

At that time, Japan was still experiencing the lingering effects of a prosperous economy, and there was a boom in supermodels. Sensing an opportunity, I pitched myself to magazine companies and managed to land a job photographing a cover. The model for the shoot was Kate Moss, who was visiting Japan for the first time. Perhaps my ability to communicate with her and her team in native English, along with my experience as a coordinator, which implied skill in handling models, played a role in securing the job.

Communication can be a Weapon in Work.

Of course, photographic techniques are essential, but for photographers who shoot people, the ability to communicate with their subjects is indispensable. In fact, the reason I first got work in Japan was because, as I mentioned, I could communicate with foreign models. I moved to New York for the first time when I was in the third grade of elementary school. Naturally, I couldn’t speak English at all. But within about six months, I became fluent like a native speaker, and ironically, I began to forget Japanese. This experience of living in New York and becoming proficient in English has been invaluable in expanding my work and worldview. There is no doubt that Japanese society will become even more globalized in the future. Being able to speak English is essential.

However, I believe it’s not enough just to speak English seriously. True communication only happens when you can make interesting remarks in English, forge good relationships, and impress others with your character. Recently, I often travel to China and other countries in Asia for work, and they are very proficient in English. They also have a sense of humor and dynamic ideas. In contrast, it’s rare to find someone in Japan who is good at English. Nowadays, returnees are not good at English because they can connect to Japan easily through the internet. We need to create a situation where we are cut off from Japan to truly enhance our English skills. I think Japan is an outstanding country compared to the rest of the world, but I wonder why we are so poor at English, which is such a fundamental skill.

If It’s not Given Form, It Has No Meaning.

Even now, I travel around the world for business. The only places I haven’t been to are some of the Nordic countries. Being able to see the changing global situation firsthand is a significant advantage in my work. For instance, did you know that in Shanghai there are more than fifty skyscrapers of the Mori Building class? There are many shopping arcades that would even surprise Roppongi Midtown. Understanding Shanghai through personal experience makes a big difference in how you talk about it. In this job, while being a craftsman, one cannot succeed without understanding social and global situations. Since I handle not only photography but also creative direction, this is even more crucial.

What interests people in society varies by generation. To understand these interests, you must become an interesting person yourself, and not just think about it but actively step into worlds you have never experienced. That’s why even leisure is taken seriously. I used to be so into motorcycles that I participated in the Paris-Dakar Rally. For a private entrant, not sponsored by a manufacturer, it’s literally a life-threatening challenge. It costs a lot of money too. I’ve had close calls with death about three times through racing. My reason for participating was a desire for drama beyond a successful everyday life. It’s like the saying, ‘If you think you can, you can,’ or it’s an action principle of ‘the law of attraction.’ If you wish strongly, it will definitely happen. But just thinking is something anyone can do. You really have to give it form. Luck might play a role, but I always try to keep the determination to give form to things, undistracted by the noise around me.

I deeply resonated with Mr. Roland’s attitude as a challenger, always incorporating new things and acting with the aim of reaching higher. Having worked around the world has reaffirmed that there are things one can see and feel. I, too, will actively move my work field to the global stage to meet more people and create more work.
Taking action is always a milestone, and it requires determination and guts, but I want to maintain the feeling that I will be glad I did it when I look back. Challenges are the catalyst for a man’s growth. Throughout life, I’ve realized that it’s better to maintain the attitude of taking challenges, even if they fail, than to regret not trying at all.

‘My Philosophy’ Editor-in-Chief, DK Sugiyama

June 2013, at Hosei University. Special dialogue between Roland Kirishima and DK Sugiyama ‘Encounter of Imagination and Creation.’ Written by Takahisa Koguchi, Photographed by Daiki Ayuzawa.