M.A.P

James Mollison set up a mini photo studio in one of Tokyo’s canine spas and photographed a bunch of its lovely furry clients.

James recalls how the project came about: 

“A few years ago I had a show at Issey Miyake’s 21_21 design museum which is part of the swanky shopping centre called Tokyo Midtown. Each day while mounting the show I had wondered past ‘Green Dog’ - a spa, ‘holistic care’ and culinary shop for dogs. I bought some ‘dog sushi’ for a friend who pampers their pet too much. Running along side the shop is the glass walled spa where you can gaze in at dogs being shampooed, receiving mud masks or rock salt massages, or getting their hair styled. The faces of the dogs as they were blown dried and the resulting teddy bear cuts had remained with me and this year when I had a chance to go back to Japan I headed straight back to see the fluffy mutts. This time I took my little studio and on the day when there weren’t any dogs coming in for their acupuncture appointments I set up in their consultation room and photographed the days clients.”