In the wake of his collaboration in 1953 with fellow Jikken Kōbō member Kiyoji Otsuji for APN (Asahi Picture News) followed by the publication of his text “From Painter to Photographer” in 1956, Kitadai had thereafter engaged in a continuous inquiry into the realm of photographic expression until 1971. Form-8 is one of Kitadai’s early works during this period that concerns itself with the pursuit of constructivist shapes. The print conveys an effective contrast between the handmade seals aligning the storefront, the way in which the shapes of the characters are captured, as well as the shadows observed in the craftsman’s hand, thus clearly portraying the signature characteristics of Kitadai’s photographic work. Furthermore, from the fact the print is titled and signed on back by Kitadai himself, it is evident that he had considered photography as an independent means of expression in its own right.
