Punk in Translation: Blackmeans Photography Exhibition of Japanese Punk Scene

Japanese leather initiative Leather Japan has collaborated with avant-garde hard core punk-craft team, Blackmeans, to create the exhibition Punk in Translation that opened at the Horse Hospital, London yesterday.

Produced by Harris Elliott – co-creator of the widely acclaimed Return of the Rudeboy – Punk in Translation features work from Japanese documentary photographers Yusuke Yamatani, Tasuo Suzuki and Naoya Matsumoto. Their images document Japanese punk, following the current underground music scene, discreet characterless buildings and Tokyo’s loyal punk youth.

Punk in Translation showcases the Tokyo scene’s style and attitude in its rebellious form. The images highlight the radical Japanese interpretation of punk. The unmistakable style has been integrated with Japanese festival culture, incorporating sensitivity to detail, a natural characteristic of the Japanese.

Held at the Horse Hospital the exhibition highlights how the UK punk fashion and music scene has influenced the lifestyle and culture of this new breed of subculture. The Horse Hospital is run by Roger Burton whose punk credentials include designing the infamous punk store ‘The World’s End’ by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren making it the ideal venue.

Blackmeans launched in 2008 as a leather brand. Since then, the Japanese avant-garde brand has separated themselves as an iconic punk brand celebrating a history of hardcore, mixing a post-anarchist ethos and radical design with Japanese craftmanship. The clothing has an anarchistic look, without the undone quality often associated with the genre.

Creative director, stylist and designer – Harris Elliott has contributed to a range of editorial, music, advertising, brand and agency
projects. His roster of expertise has been diverse, including co-founding the Return of the Rudeboy exhibition. A self described “visual storyteller”, Elliott’s projects integrate cultures and subcultures at each of his international destinations.

Punk in Translation is showing at The Horse Hospital, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 1JD from 9th to 11th January 2015.