While illuminating, in many cases honing your craft in the shadows of an industry master can prove emotionally difficult. Just look at poor Jenny Humphrey's experience interning for her fashion designer idol, Eleanor Waldorf. But for Japanese photographer Keiichi Nitta, who spent six years in New York City as Terry Richardson's assistant (after calling him every week for two years to land the gig), working with an art world icon only helped shape his own quirky point of view and encourage a sense of immediacy in his work.

Two years after moving back to Tokyo to focus on his own career, Nitta's first solo exhibition in the U.S., "I Think Japanese People Should Be More Open," opens this Saturday night at The Constant Gallery. While he's rather tight-lipped about what pieces will be featured, the emerging artist is more willing to discuss his provocative title choice: "Even though it is 2008, Japanese thinking is still very old-style, making Japanese people very closed-minded to what is going on in the rest of the world." Chock full of racy images of the sex, drugs and rock 'n roll variety, the exhibition, which features exclusive new prints and a wall installation, has warranted an 18+ age requirement for entry. That noted, Nitta remains adamant that his goal is not to shock, but rather show the viewer something that might play with our preconceived notions.

"My husband Nikos and I were interested in Keiichi not only because his work is provocative, stylish and informed, but also because of the perceptions of the Japanese that Americans seem to have adopted," explains gallery co-owner Linda Constant. "When we met with Keiichi in Tokyo earlier this summer, he frankly expressed similar sentiments of how, despite the general consensus that Japanese culture, trends and fashion are very forward-thinking, this is actually not the case for the most part. We can't predict how agreeable his images will be to the viewer, but we can emphasize how redeeming it is that we are able to exhibit a show like this here—several of the photos could not even be printed in Japan because of their content!"

The opening reception for "I Think Japanese People Should Be More Open" is from 6 to 9 p.m. on September 6th; Nitta is expected to attend.

- Caroline Stanley

Similar Topics:art, fashion, gallery, photography

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