Photography Exhibition at Asia Society Texas Center Celebrates the Resilience of the Human Spirit following Japan’s 2011 Earthquake
On March 11, 2011, an earthquake and enormous wave of water swept through the Tōhoku (Northeast) region of Japan, destroying virtually everything in its path and irrevocably damaging the Fukushima nuclear power plant. This disaster was of such epic proportion that it became a defining moment for Japan.
Today, the earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima failure have collectively become known as the “Triple Disaster” or “3/11,” after the date of the first events. “In the Wake: Japanese Photographers Respond to 3/11,” is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and is the first exhibition to explore the photography created in reaction to these tragic events. Their work explores the way art provides a powerful language for reflecting on tragic events and contributing to human recovery.
The exhibition will open at Asia Society Texas Center on Saturday, October 1 in the Center’s Louisa Stude Sarofim Gallery. “We are delighted to feature such important work in Houston, a city with a deep appreciation for contemporary photography and photographers working in Japan,” said Bridget Bray, Nancy C. Allen Curator and Director of Exhibitions.
On view will be approximately 80 works by 17 photographers, some among Japan’s most celebrated artists and others who are emerging talents: Takashi Arai (born 1978),Nobuyoshi Araki (born 1940), Ishu Han (born 1987), Naoya Hatakeyama (born 1958),Takashi Homma (born 1962), Kikuji Kawada (born 1933), Rinko Kawauchi (born 1972),Keizō Kitajima (born 1954), Kōzō Miyoshi (born 1947), Yasusuke Ota (born 1958),Masato Seto (born 1953), Lieko Shiga (born 1980), Shimpei Takeda (born 1982),Masaru Tatsuki (born 1974), Daisuke Yokota (born 1983), and Tomoko Yoneda (born 1965). An area featuring a lost-and-found photo installation includes rescued personal snapshots that were washed up in the debris and sorted for survivors, offering a tangible way to hold onto memories.
The exhibition, coming to Houston during the 5th anniversary of these momentous events in Japan, has special local relevance. As a coastal region with a long history of experiencing, and recovering from, natural disasters such as hurricanes and flooding, Houston and the surrounding areas have many points of connection with Tōhoku. The exhibition’s featured artists created work in the wake of 3/11, leading others towards new ways of thinking about, and learning how to cope with, the enormity of the changes they experienced. Their creativity and artistry can be a source of inspiration for local residents in Houston who have had similar experiences.
The exhibition will be on view through January 1, 2017, and admission is free and open to the public. Asia Society, located at 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, Texas, is open Tuesday — Friday, 11 a.m. — 6 p.m., and Saturday — Sunday, 10 a.m. –6 p.m.
