Photographer Hal: Vacuum Love

Tokyo-based artist photographer hal has created the ‘flesh love’ series. his body of work explores the concept of worldly love through couples. in ‘flesh love’, hal pulls the lovers so near to one another that they transform into a single being– a vacuum-sealed pack of love. the artist wraps blankets the models with a plastic sheet in which he removes the air from to bond the lover together. hal is able to capture several photos in the few moments the couple is sealed within the plastic encasement.  the series is now available in a book compilation and an ipad application. ‘I go to kabukicho in shinjuku, underground bars in shibuya and many other places which are full of activity like luscious night time bee-hives. when I see a couple of interest I will begin to negotiate. I’m sure that many people initially think  of my proposal as unusual or even look through me like I am completely invisible, but I always push forward with my challenge to them. the models appear from all walks of life and individually have included musicians, dancers, strippers, laborers, restaurant and bar managers, photographers, businessmen and women, unsettled and unemployed, et al. I want to capture love as it really is and the bathtub is an ideal vehicle to encapsulate the vivid reality in my images. A grand theme in mankind is Love, and I, Photographer Hal, am challenging the majestic theme! Those in power are continually guilty of segregation and discrimination, can we realize peace under such conditions? You who are standing on the earth, no matter where you are, love the person in front of you. From two people to a group, a town to a community, a city to a country, from border to border, the ring of love shall prevail. I have started to create my ring of love in the city of Tokyo, believing that some day a world peace without segregation and discrimination will come true.”