Photographer Captures Creative Applications of Ping-Pong Table by His Community Over a Five-Year Period
**Hayahisa Tomiyasu Showcases the Multifaceted Character of Public Spaces in His TTP Series**
Public spaces are typically designed to fulfill specific purposes. Nevertheless, in the vibrant atmosphere of cities, these areas often transcend their initial designs, sculpted by the actions and interactions of their users. This occurrence is eloquently portrayed in the artistry of Hayahisa Tomiyasu, a photographer with a keen vision that offers a novel viewpoint on commonplace settings.
In his acclaimed series, *TTP* (Tischtennisplatte), Tomiyasu captures the evolving use of a single ping-pong table in Leipzig over a period of five years. His journey commenced with a chance encounter involving a fox that paused inquisitively by the table, igniting his passion for documenting the life surrounding this unremarkable object. The fox’s fleeting moment served as a stimulus for Tomiyasu’s ongoing project, which became a detailed account observed from his student apartment window.
Through his camera, Tomiyasu depicted the ping-pong table morphing into a versatile element within the urban scenery. It adapted to multiple functions: a play area for children, a picnic site for families, a corner for personal contemplation, and even as impromptu exercise equipment. Paradoxically, while it was indeed a ping-pong table, it was seldom used for its original function, highlighting the community’s imaginative reclamation of public spaces to meet their desires and habits.
The *TTP* series transcends mere artistic expression; it offers insights into the adaptability and endurance of communal spaces. Amid evolving seasons and various weather patterns, the table became a symbol of the diverse roles that public facilities can serve, reacting to the ever-changing social behaviors that surround it.
Tomiyasu’s work has been showcased in exhibitions in London and Tokyo, underscoring its worldwide appeal. Presently, it is featured in the *Dynamic Spaces* exhibition at GfZK Leipzig, emphasizing the ongoing dialogue concerning how public regions affect and are shaped by human interactions. For those who cannot attend the exhibition, the photo series is also available in book form, allowing audiences to delve into the story at their convenience.
Hayahisa Tomiyasu’s *TTP* series is a compelling reminder of the unanticipated versatility and significant influence that ordinary public structures can embody, reflecting a community’s spirit, resilience, and creativity. Through his meticulous observations, we gain insight into the subtle yet crucial role of public spaces in our daily lives.
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**Hayahisa Tomiyasu: [Website](http://www.tomiyasuhayahisa.com/ttp/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hayahisatomiyasu/)**
*Source: [Hayahisa Tomiyasu spent four years photographing one ping pong table from his window](https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/tomiyasu-hayahisa-ttp-photography-250119)*
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