This past Tuesday was the opening for Mark L Watts’ exhibition To be a hero of Nippon. Watts is a photographic artist who digitally manipulates images to create some odd self-portraits. This exhibition features Japanese figurines of anime stereotypes, cute little girls and mecha heroes, all with Watts’ face. Think Aphex twin video meets an Otaku’s bedroom. From a purely technical viewpoint these images are amazing, Watts is a master of convincing photoshop. There is also a humour here which comes through in all the pictures, although overall the exhibition left me maybe wanting a bit more.

Speaking of more: Although I didn’t realise it until I got there, Watts’ opening was part of ‘Gravity Festival Tuesday’, an evening in which nine(!) separate photography exhibitions were all on simultaneously. A fleet of Minis would shuttle anyone who cared to go between galleries, for free, so that with a bit of timing you could see all nine shows without spending a dollar. What a neat idea! I didn’t go, it was cold and I was grumpy, but still. I like very much that the opportunity was there. Hopefully there’ll be more helpful publicity stunts like this around soon.

To be a hero of Nippon
Mark L Watts
2nd - 13th June 2009
Satellite Gallery
Cnr Saint Benedicts St and Newton Rd
Auckland