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Two people stand outside a bakery, each holding a long baguette. They are dressed in dark coats and boots, positioned against a glass storefront filled with pastries.

Photography: Chino Otsuka superimposes her adult self into photos from her childhood

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Date
13 January 2014

Funny how no one else finds your childhood photos interesting, but you yourself could probably get lost in those little visual time traps for hours without getting bored. Chino Otsuka found her childhood photos so intriguing that she decided to put them to good use and make a very curious art project out of them. Imagine Finding Me sees Chino impeccably superimpose herself into these old images to create the illusion that she is hanging out with her former self.

Whether they’re munching on a baguette together, building a snowman or just lazing around on a bed in their pants reading magazines, these very touching images are a reminder of just how hilarious and fun it would be to be best buds with your past self. You can buy a book of this project over on her site.

A person and a child stand beside a small, brown-tinted snowman in a snowy playground. In the background, other children play near a climbing frame and tall apartment blocks.
Above

Chino Otsuka: Imagine Finding Me

A person and a child stand side by side on a sandy beach, looking towards the camera. The child wears a brown pinafore dress over a white T-shirt, while the person wears a black top and a long denim skirt.
Above

Chino Otsuka: Imagine Finding Me

Two people stand on a wide set of stone stairs leading up to a giant white sculpture of a Buddha head. One person walks up the steps, while another leans against a white railing, looking towards the camera.
Above

Chino Otsuka: Imagine Finding Me

Two people sit on a stone ledge overlooking a river. One person drinks from a cup while the other holds a small blue and white packet.
Above

Chino Otsuka: Imagine Finding Me

Two people stand on a train platform next to a white and blue train. One person holds a black suitcase, while a child beside them waves to the camera.
Above

Chino Otsuka: Imagine Finding Me

A person in a red top and blue skirt stands in a wide, paved square. In the background, the Monument to the People's Heroes rises against a pale sky, flanked by red flags.
Above

Chino Otsuka: Imagine Finding Me

Two people sleep on a bed with a pink coverlet in a sparsely furnished room. One person lies on their side under a white sheet, while the other lies on their back with arms raised.
Two people sit on a park bench in front of a distant statue. A person in a dark striped top and boots looks to the side, while a child in a red striped jumper looks toward the camera.
Above

Chino Otsuka: Imagine Finding Me

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About the Author

Liv Siddall

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Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

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