80°05′ - Works | Kouta Takahashi - 髙橋こうた Official Web Site

80°05′

This work tells the story of two explorers: Nobu Shirase, a Japanese explorer who, in 1912, attempted to become the first person to reach the South Pole but had to retire at 80°05' South latitude; and Masatatsu Abe, a modern explorer who, over a century later, set out to reach the South Pole starting from Shirase's retirement point. A visual story centered on the question, "What drives us to expeditions?" this project was self-published in January 2024 as a handmade photobook, in a limited edition of 90 copies.

Abe and I have been friends for 17 years since our university days. He had been pursuing expeditions even when we first met, steadily building his achievements with the South Pole expedition inspired by Shirase's legacy in mind. After securing nearly US $1million in expedition funding, Abe was ready to embark on his expedition, but the 2020 pandemic forced the expedition to be postponed. Witnessing Abe continue his challenge despite the uncertainty made me question, "What drives him to such lengths for an expedition?" This question became the starting point for the creation of this work.

Even when I am gone

Make sure to find

In Antarctica

The treasures beneath the earth

Until it is brought to the world

These are the verses composed by Shirase in his final moments. What are the treasures beneath the earth? And what drives these explorers to embark on these expeditions? Through extensive research into Shirase's historical background, as well as in-depth coverage of Abe's personal life and exploration of his roots, it attempts to visualize the motivations behind these explorers' quests.

本作は、1912年に人類初の南極点到達を目指しながら南緯80度05分の地点で勇退した日本人探検家・白瀬矗と、100年以上の時を経て勇退地点から南極点を目指した現代の冒険家・阿部雅龍を巡る物語である。冒険家を主人公に「なぜ、冒険するのか？」という根源的な問いに焦点を当てたビジュアルストーリー作品で、2024年1月にはハンドメイドの写真集を限定90部で出版している。

阿部とは大学時代から17年来の友人である。彼は出会った頃から冒険活動に取り組んでおり、白瀬の意志を継ぐ南極冒険を見据えて、さまざまな実績を積み上げてきた。さらに、1億円近くの遠征資金を集めて準備を整えたものの、2020年のパンデミックの影響により南極冒険が延期となる。先の見えない状況に葛藤しながらも挑戦を続ける彼の姿に触れるうちに、「なぜそこまでして冒険にこだわるのか」という疑問を抱き、本作品の制作を開始した。

〜我れ無くも　必らず捜せ　南極の　地中の宝　世にいだすまで〜

白瀬が詠んだ辞世の歌である。「地中の宝」とは何か。彼らは一体何に突き動かされて冒険に出るのだろうか。約100年前の白瀬に関する歴史的背景のリサーチや、阿部の私生活に密着した取材、ルーツを辿る作業など、さまざまな制作プロセスを通じて冒険家の動機の可視化を試みた。

Photobook「80°05′」 Handmade｜ED.90