ART | "Josef Koudelka Exhibition" at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
ART | A Landmark Retrospective of the Photographer Who Captured the Prague Invasion
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Hosts the Josef Koudelka Exhibition
Josef Koudelka, the legendary photographer who gained international acclaim for his anonymous photographs of the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Prague, is the subject of a major retrospective, his first in Japan. The exhibition, "Josef Koudelka," will be held at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, from November 6 (Wednesday) to January 13, 2014 (Monday, holiday).
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
Approximately 280 Works on Display, Including Unseen Vintage Prints and Latest Pieces
Born in Czechoslovakia in 1938, Josef Koudelka began publishing photographs in the early 1960s while working as an aeronautical engineer. His work on Prague's theaters brought him recognition within the Czechoslovak photographic community.
His photographs of the 1968 Prague invasion were initially circulated anonymously under the pseudonym P.P., an abbreviation for "Prague photographer," due to fears of reprisal against him and his family. In 1969, these powerful images were honored with the Robert Capa Gold Medal, awarded by the International Federation of Photographic Art, still without revealing his identity.
This event prompted Koudelka to leave his homeland. He settled first in Britain and later in France, where he continued to develop his photographic series. He published "Gypsies 1962-1970," a project begun in Czechoslovakia, and "Exiles 1970-1994," documenting his experiences across Europe after his emigration. His works, characterized by a poetic yet distinct strength, garnered significant acclaim.
This exhibition, the first comprehensive retrospective of Koudelka's work in Asia, originated in his native Czech Republic and features approximately 280 pieces spanning his career from early works to his most recent creations. It includes previously unseen vintage prints and presents a new configuration that incorporates "Chaos 1986-2012," his panoramic series initiated in the late 1980s, offering a complete overview of Koudelka's journey up to the present day.
Koudelka's work has profoundly impacted the world, capturing the quiet moments of ordinary lives while simultaneously offering a profound, civilization-spanning perspective on the 20th century. This exhibition invites us to journey through the life and artistic world of one of today's most compelling photographers.
"Josef Koudelka Exhibition"
Dates: November 6 (Wednesday) – January 13, 2014 (Monday, holiday) *Closed Mondays, December 24 (Tuesday), and December 28 to January 1.
Open on December 23 and January 13.
Hours: 10:00–17:00 *Fridays until 20:00
Venue: The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
3-1 Kitanomaru Koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5777-8600 (Hello Dial)
Admission: General ¥850, University Students ¥450
