80°05′
In 1912, Japanese explorer Nobu Shirase attempted to become the first person to reach the South Pole, but had to retire at 80°05' South latitude. Now, over a century later, a man is pioneering an unexplored route from the retirement point, aiming for the South Pole on a solo trek. This man is explorer Masatatsu Abe, also hailing from Akita, just like Shirase.
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?
1912年、日本人探検家・白瀬矗は人類初の南極点到達を目指したが南緯80度05分の地点で勇退した。そして100年以上の時を越えて勇退地点から未踏ルートを開拓し、単独徒歩で南極点を目指す男がいる。白瀬と同じ秋田出身の冒険家・阿部雅龍である。
〜 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。
Photobook「80°05′」 Handmade|ED.90
(72Gallery / Tokyo, 2024)
Shortlisted of the LUMA Rencontres Dummy Book Award Arles 2022
(Espace Van Gogh / Arles, 2022)
One of the winners of the open call for photobooks at the Belfast Photo Festival 2024
(Botanic Gardens / Belfast, 2024)
Shortlisted of the Dummy Award 2023
(PhotoBookMuseum / Cologne, 2023)
Shortlisted of the Lucie Photo Book Prize 2024
(Los Angeles Center of Photography / Los Angeles, 2024)
Shortlisted of the 9th SIPF Photobook Award 2024
(National Design Centre / Singapore, 2024)
Shortlisted of the Portrait of Japan
(Shibuya Area Digital Signage / Tokyo, 2021)