ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Rikuto Uchiumi's 'Drifting' Sets Fashion Narrative in Tokyo's Overlooked Spaces

publication · 2026-09-17

Rikuto Uchiumi's photographic collection 'Drifting' portrays Tokyo as a central figure, highlighting urban elements such as slick streets and unadorned structures. Model Haruno intrudes upon these settings, dressed by Maiko Karima in high-fashion attire that starkly contrasts with the area's utilitarian nature. The wardrobe features a billowing white gown paired with oversized sunglasses, a tattered white knit sheltered beneath an umbrella, and a sleek all-black outfit accentuated by a sharp collar. Uchiumi's emphasis on neglected locales pays homage to Japanese New Wave cinema, steering clear of glamor to reveal a genuine Tokyo experience. The series intertwines fashion with authenticity, as Haruno navigates between being seen and unseen, with rain amplifying the essence of existence versus mere transience.

Key facts

  • 'Drifting' is a photo series by Rikuto Uchiumi set in Tokyo
  • The series treats Tokyo as a character rather than a setting
  • Model Haruno appears throughout the fashion narrative
  • Stylist Maiko Karima juxtaposes neighborhood practicality with high fashion
  • The theme of not quite fitting in prevails in the work
  • Uchiumi references Japanese New Wave cinema and evokes Hiroshi Sugimoto and Wim Wenders
  • Everyday details like a toilet door, air-conditioning unit, and piled clothes receive equal importance to the clothing
  • The rain leaves a subtle sheen without theatrics, revealing overlooked details

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • c41magazine

Locations

  • Tokyo
  • Japan

Sources