ART | 'If You Can See It, It's Not There' Exhibition by Tomoko Yoneda at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
LOUNGE / ART
April 7, 2015

ART | 'If You Can See It, It's Not There' Exhibition by Tomoko Yoneda at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum


ART | Photographs Capturing Memory and History


Tomoko Yoneda Exhibition 'If I Could See in the Dark' at Tokyo Photographic Art Museum



Tomoko Yoneda (born 1965) is known for her works that, while based on the fundamental role of photography as "documentation," are shot against a backdrop of memory and history, not just what is visually present. Her exhibition, "If I Could See in the Dark," is being held at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum in Ebisu from Saturday, July 20, to Monday, September 23 (national holiday).



Text by YANAKA Tomomi




Talks with Tomoko Yoneda and Guests During the Exhibition




Tomoko Yoneda Photo Exhibition 02

After completing her master's degree at the Royal College of Art in London in 1991, Tomoko Yoneda has been energetically producing and exhibiting works themed around memory and history in Japan's and the world's modernization. This exhibition showcases the work of one of Japan's leading photographers.

The exhibition features 68 works, including newly unveiled pieces, video art, and recent representative works. The title of a photograph depicting a blue sky over Saipan, ravaged by intense warfare, and an ordinary-looking road, is "Road (The Road Leading to the Cliff Where Japanese Residents Perished in Saipan)." Upon learning of the historical facts, viewers experience a perceptual shift, seeing the image differently from their initial impression.




Other works include "Between Visible and Invisible," which presents the manuscripts and letters of prominent 20th-century figures as seen through their eyeglasses, and "Japanese House," which focuses on Japanese-style houses in Taiwan that were under the rule of Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Party during the Japanese colonial era. These pieces maximize the unique qualities of their media, prompting viewers to re-examine the essence of what they are observing.




During the exhibition, talks between Tomoko Yoneda and guests will also be held. On Saturday, July 27, at 3:00 PM, a talk with novelist Kazutoshi Hando will take place. Additionally, floor lectures by the curator will be offered at 2:00 PM on the first and third Fridays of each month during the exhibition period.

In recent years, her work has increasingly focused on regions in Asia, such as Taiwan and South Korea, particularly those related to Japan's modernization. Having lived abroad for over 20 years, Yoneda is keenly aware of her Japanese identity. The Great East Japan Earthquake had a significant impact on her.The Great East Japan EarthquakeShe further reflects, "We perceive innocent concepts from the images projected before our eyes. These are images dyed from the outside, yet they are formless images hidden within."

She further reflects, "We perceive innocent concepts from the images projected before our eyes. These are images dyed from the outside, yet they are formless images hidden within."


Tomoko Yoneda Photo Exhibition 03



"Tomoko Yoneda: If I Could See in the Dark"

Exhibition Dates | Saturday, July 20 – Monday, September 23 (National Holiday) *Closed Mondays, but open if Monday is a holiday, with Tuesday closed instead.

Hours | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM *Thursdays and Fridays until 9:00 PM

Venue | Tokyo Photographic Art Museum

1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, within Ebisu Garden Place

Tel. 03-3280-0099

Admission Fees | General ¥700, Students ¥600, Junior High/High School Students & Seniors (65+) ¥500



Talks with the Artist and Guests

Date | Saturday, July 27

Time | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Guest | Kazutoshi Hando (Novelist)

Venue | Tokyo Photographic Art Museum




Floor Lectures by the Curator

Dates | First and third Fridays of the exhibition period

Time | From 2:00 PM