5 Continents Trails Into the Unknown by the 5 Continents Traversal Project is now on sale.
Book Overview
Cars drive through days that make you feel anew that Earth was a star.
Resisting, wounded, broken, yet still moving forward.
Does my heart swell because I see myself in them?
The roads and cars documented by Mikiya Takimoto and the photographers who studied under him.
The unbound, boxed presentation—a deliberate choice—
turns each photograph into a story you can hold in your hands.
Building the core of Toyota's future.
To do so, we engage with the car,
and pure moments of feeling the road.
The TOYOTA 5 Continents Expedition Project
began with teams formed from TOYOTA Group employees worldwide.
2014: Australia
2015 North America,
South America in 2016,
Europe in 2017,
2018 Africa,
and in 2019, the Asian continent.
This book chronicles
a team of creators led by photographer Mikiya Takimoto, who participated from the project's inception and accompanied the journey of people and cars,
presented through a fresh new concept.
reimagined with a fresh concept
into a single photobook.
The howling winds of Patagonia,
the bitter cold of Alaska,
African sunsets and herds of elephants—
When faced with overwhelming nature,
both people and the tools of civilization they created
become part of nature.
The Earth was just one planet.
By holding each photograph in your hands,
that feeling should be shared.
Words from Participating Creators
I've traveled across continents, seen countless roads, landscapes, and people.
Now, looking at this collection of photos, I realize I was seeing the Earth itself.
It's strange how the cars appear like exploration capsules moving across the planet Earth.
−Mikiya Takimoto (Photographer)
I battled flies and camped out in the desert in the middle of Australia. The stars were incredible.
I saw the aurora borealis for the first time in Alaska. It was fainter than I imagined.
The stone I brought back from an African safari still sits cherished on my desk.
Unfortunately, such location shoots are no longer possible for me.
This photo collection is filled with the challenges, the pursuit of beauty, and the memories of adventure from photographers like Mr. Takimoto around the world.
Those grueling shoots, possible only a few years ago, grow ever more precious with time. I earnestly hope the day comes when I can return.
I am truly grateful to have been involved in such a magnificent project.
−Kenjiro Sano (Art Director)
It was a crazy experience.
It was a journey that felt like clinging to the earth.
I'll never forget the smell of the wind.
I can't forget the cold, rock-hard bagel.
I can't forget the high-pitched sound of the glacier cracking.
If life has any meaning,
it might be to stand up
within such landscapes.
The photographers,
were all beautiful.
To me, they were part of the scenery.
—Takuma Takasaki (Creative Director)
Charity Edition Details
Limited release of the [Charity Edition] featuring an original print by Mikiya Takimoto.
Next to Mr. Takimoto's handwritten signature are GPS coordinates, allowing you to visit the roads around the world selected by Mr. Takimoto himself
via Google Earth.
A portion of the sales proceeds will be donated to the NPO Peace Winds Japan to support medical professionals fighting on the front lines against COVID-19.
[Publication Information (Charity Edition)]
Limited to 50 copies
Book + One Original Print (from 5 designs)
(10 copies per print)
Price: ¥25,000 + tax
(Book body ¥15,000 + ¥10,000 donation portion)
*In addition to the ¥10,000 donation portion, a portion of the book's sales will be donated.
5 Continents Running Project ・ Staff List
Planning & Production / MR_DESIGN+spoon.
CD+C / Takuma Takasaki
Art Director / Kenjiro Sano
D / Takahiro Soga + Shota Hashimoto
Pr / Jin Okuwa + Keiko Ono
Cn / Li Tao
P / Mikiya Takimoto + Kenichi Higuchi + Tomohiro Sugita + Fumito Katamura + Arata Sato
Printing DIR / Koji Toshima
Plate Making + Printing / Taiyo Printing
Creator Takuma Takasaki Profile
Takuma Takasaki
Takuma Takasaki. Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1969. Graduated from Waseda University Faculty of Law.
Creative Director / CM Planner.
Winner of numerous domestic and international awards, including twice being named JAAA Creator of the Year.
His novel "Auto Reverse," depicting the youth of boys in an idol fan club, gained attention.
Book Details (Publisher's Site)
: http://www.seigensha.com/newbook/2020/06/30111500
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