C41 MAGAZINE
THREE DOTS
We pass briefly along the timeline—aging, decaying, and eventually disappearing, just like the possessions we leave behind.
Once placed with intention, now linger without context.
IN PASSING
Creative directed by Sunmin Yuk, visualized by Mia Sato O'Neal, and styled by Nita Shunya and Mia, "In Passing" is a collaboration between Three Dots, a vintage and designer boutique-concept space in Tokyo. Established in 2025 by a trio of young Japanese and Korean fashion enthusiasts and artists, Three Dots exists not merely as a store, but as an artistic refuge—pushing back against a highly commercialized world that prioritizes high-yield results over meaningful connection and cultural depth.
Tucked away in a rugged corner of Tokyo's eastern shitamachi ('low-town') district, the space is surrounded by narrow, shaft-like buildings and an adjacent courtyard scattered with decayed objects that appear untouched for decades. The atmosphere stands as a quiet witness to the passage of time, reminiscent of postwar Japan.
Drawing stylistic influence from the Japanese I-Photo movement of the 1960s and 70s, the work reflects on the permanence of time and the impermanence of human society. The spaces photographed in carry no clear ownership or narrative and whether the occupants still exist remains unknown. Originally placed with intention, they now linger without context.
If not for another disaster, war, or redevelopment, these spaces may remain untouched for centuries. On the other hand, human society will not. We pass briefly along the timeline—aging, decaying, and eventually disappearing, just like the possessions we leave behind. By placing modern presence against deteriorating infrastructure, the work reflects an urban landscape in constant transition, reminding us that the present moment is never permanent.
