Records of postwar Japan's social transformation will be displayed during the "Metamorphosis Of Japan After The War 1945-1964" exhibition at Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center from this Saturday to Oct 14.
Young Woman by Ihee Kimura. photo courtesy of Japan Foundation
Organised by Japan Foundation and the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, the exhibition features 123 images captured by 11 Japanese photographers active in this period of dramatic upheaval.
Divided into three sections -- The Aftermath Of War, Between Tradition And Modernity and Towards A New Japan -- the exhibition reflects how Japan, despite being a defeated and devastated country after WWII in 1945, underwent drastic transformations in society, economy and culture within only two decades.
This postwar era was characterised by significant changes that occurred from the end of the war in 1945 to the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Rebuilding itself, Japan became a rising economic power, as witnessed by the birth of Shinkansen bullet trains and the economic boom that remarkably raised the standard of living in many homes.
This social transformation is recounted through the artistic perspectives of the 11 photographers, including Ken Domon, reputed for photo realism; Ihee Kimura, who took a unique approach to realism; Hiroshi Hamaya, famed for photographing the way of life of agricultural villagers; and Tadahiko Hayashi, who created splendid portraits.
The others are Shigeichi Nagano, Ikko Narahara, Kikuji Kawada, Shomei Tomatsu and Yasuhiro Ishimoto -- all of whom represent a younger generation of photographers -- as well as Eikoh Hosoe and Takeyoshi Tanuma, known for their creative photography. Although they have different photographic approaches, they're united in their search to understand the complexity of modern Japanese identity.
The opening ceremony is this Saturday at 4pm, preceded by a special talk by Ark Fongsamut, curator of the Bangkok University Gallery, at 3pm.
The Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Centre is on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue and opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10am-7pm.
Call 02-224-8030 ext 202.
