Long shadow of postwar Japan at MET

Detailed summary

A new art show has opened in New York City, which spotlights Japanese photographers who captured a wider view of their changing country in the years after World War Two.

A new art show has opened in New York City, which spotlights Japanese photographers who captured a wider view of their changing country in the years after World War Two.

The exhibition, "A Long Shadow: Postwar Japan Through the Lens," opened on Thursday. It features works by fifteen artists, including Tomatsu Shomei, who is one of the giants of modern Japanese photography.

Tomatsu created various works capturing Okinawa during the 1960s and 70s. The United States occupied the region until 1972. The exhibit includes photos he took while lying under fighter jets to capture them taking off and landing from Kadena Air Base. He blurred the images to convey how the sounds of planes flying overhead had an emotional impact.

A large protest movement against the occupation began in the 1950s in Okinawa, and opposition to remaining US bases has continued until this day. The protest movement inspired Ishikawa Mao, another artist from Okinawa, to pick up her camera. She took photos of her friends, women who worked at bars near the bases in the 1970s. She showed them spending time with American soldiers.

The curator, Lisa Sutcliffe, hopes the show will expand our view of the time. "The avant-garde that grows up in Japan in the postwar period is singular and is something that I think many photography departments are eager to not only collect but to share with audiences," she said. "I think in New York it's important for us to understand that history and to ensure that those voices are a part of our collection."

The show also features a film by a contemporary Okinawan filmmaker Yamashiro Chikako. Her movie combines archival footage from the Battle of Okinawa with human beatboxing, evoking the memories of those who were killed.

Yamashiro said: "When considering how to convey experiences that aren't your own, I believe that moving images - through the combination of sound and visuals - have the potential to transcend language. I truly hope people can experience them for themselves."

The…

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