If every relationship in the world has a time limit, can it be delayed if it is sealed in vacuum packaging? Japanese photographer Haruhiko Kawaguchi (Hal) has photographed over 400 couples over the years, documenting each “suffocating” love.
The photography project “Flesh Love All” originated from Haruhiko Kawaguchi’s exploration of relationships between people. He believes that everything that happens in the world is based on love. We have partners, family, and friends, and the emotions we pour into them have the power to bridge the gaps of race and geography, connecting us to each other. Love is silent and intangible, but the photographer felt that these invisible emotions should be spread throughout the community.
© Photographer Hal
Based on this idea, he uses vacuum packaging bags as a medium to envelop couples or families. Sometimes, even the scenes they are in are also covered, creating a shocking visual effect that reflects the close connection between people. The people under the plastic packaging have no extra gaps; they embrace, kiss, or hold hands, narrowing the distance both mentally and physically. The photographer believes that it is the most ideal form of love or family.
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© Photographer Hal
He shared, “The vehicle of love is shifting from love between lovers to love between families, and then gradually extending to the external community.” Love is so influential, starting from two individuals and slowly extending to the people around us.
Due to the extremely low breathability of plastic, 14 seconds is the limit in a vacuum. The photographer will first let the model choose the interactive pose, and after confirming the position, he must complete the shooting in a race against time. He describes the person being photographed as a “sculpture of love”, and many times, just pressing the shutter button can produce a work. That moment is sometimes beautiful and sweet, sometimes unexpected, just like love itself.
