On a recent walk past what is now a massive building site, there was the bittersweet memory of some Audrey Hepburn urban art I once photographed there. The timing of which, at least light-wise, couldn’t have been better. So as a nice reminder, and a remix of sorts, here’s a new version. A scene that is most definitely long gone, but in this format at least, it still manages to live on.
LAObserver says
Another great shot Lee.
It is rather easy to imagine Audrey Hepburn being popular in Nippon. At least outwardly she shares some significant features with Nihonjin ladies: petite, light skin, dark hair, gracious, very feminine and beautiful. As an object of art, she would make perfect sense.
Lee says
Thank you. It’s a photo I am very happy with. It was a genuinely lovely moment to arrive there at exactly the right time. Couldn’t believe my luck.
That’s a very good call. Hadn’t thought about her popularity in that way before, but you are absolutely spot on.
Denton says
Very very cool. That timing as well. So perfect! 🙂
Lee says
Yes, I was incredibly lucky. Even more so now it has gone forever…
cdilla says
That is a great photograph, and I prefer this version.
It’s actually one piece (of many) of urban art I’dearmarked before when I was planning on places to search out on my first visit to Tokyo a couple of years back – sad that it has gone as I never did see it for real.
It fascinates me how many layers of art something like this has.
Nature creates a woman.
A woman creates her look.
A photographer creates a portrait of the woman.
A pop-artist derives art from the portrait.
A stencil maker derives art from the pop artist.
A graffiti artist uses the stencil to make urban art.
Nature transiently transforms the urban art with its lighting.
A photographer captures and frames the moment creating another piece of art.
There’s depth to that there image 🙂
Lee says
Thank you. Me too, a much better edit I think.
Always been a fan of urban art, but when put like that, my fondness only grows. Often way more to it than people are willing to admit. More often than not it’s also way too ephemeral. The latter, I suppose, is a big part of its charm though. Something that Audrey above amply proves…
Al says
So much to love about this! 🙂
Lee says
It really was a fantastic scene to stumble upon. Very happy to have photographed it before it disappeared…
oni says
Great!!
This picture is the most beautiful Audrey I have seen.
Where is this place?
I live in Tokyo.I want to see with this eyes.
Lee says
Thank you!
It was between Ebisu and Shibuya, but it’s now sadly gone. The building it was on has been demolished…