Over the next seven years, Fumi began travelling to and from Dora, getting to know locals and immersing herself in local happenings. Many images from the series show school life, accurately capturing the various groups, cliques and emotions. Cheerleaders are shown mid-routine, uniformed band members practising on the stadium steps, a prom in full swing, many in the midst of the dancefloor, a sole figure at a table viewing the revelries from afar. Some delve into community spaces, a pastor in a local church, rows of portioned sponge cake with pink icing wrapped in cling film, and some travel even further, into the homes of her subjects.
One image that stands out to Fumi is that of Addie and Mackenzie, both recurring figures throughout the book. The pair are shown drying Mackenzie’s rabbit after he urinated on her bed, both looking slightly bemused. A moment Fumi was compelled to capture for how “funny and unique” it was, but also because of elements of the scene’s background. In the corner of the frame you can see a collection of K-Pop posters, both girls – like many teens – being big fans. For Fumi this gives the image, which has a timeless quality, a simple way of signalling the context of a more globalised present day.
The series wasn’t without its moments of uncertainty, or miscommunication. One day Fumi encountered a shed in someone’s front yard and found something compelling about the way the light was coming through the trees, and how the flower pattern of the old chair that almost made it indecipherable from the leafy background. But upon taking the photo, a local asked Fumi why she was focussing on things that were falling apart, rather than something new – they assumed she was trying to glorify the poverty and deprivation of the area. “I didn’t expect these questions because that was not the way I saw things,” Fumi says. “I love things that have charm and personality.”
Now, Fumi looks back at the project with great fondness. Not only did she create her longest-running work to date, but she forged close, long lasting relationships with the people she photographed. She’s grateful to the Gost books team for listening to her vision and helping her to piece together such a wide array of images. But mainly, Fumi is thankful for Tanya – for her collaboration and her generosity, for graciously introducing Fumi to her family, and the place she calls home.
