The Thousands

‘Waiya’ is the Japanese pronunciation of wire. Charlie Hillhouse took the photographs in Tokyo last year, but instead of bustling streets he photographed wires. Just wires!

This depiction of Tokyo stands in stark opposition to most people’s experience of a city with overwhelming crowds and noise. In contrast, wires on empty streets exhibit an underlying anxiety. A feeling that the quiet and tranquility belies something which is a little more sinister. So much so that I was reminded of the first scenes of 28 Days Later, when Cillian Murphy’s character walks dazed through the deserted streets of London.

This publication is as much a showcase of Charlie’s photographic skill as it is of the Riso printing process. Awash in green, gradually more yellow ink is incorporated into the images causing them to slowly fade like a dream escaping from memories. Who’d ever think wires could be so captivating?