Exhibition

PORTRAITS from my IMAGINATION
Photo exhibition by Benjamin Lee

Dec. 8 - Jan. 11, 2019

Benjamin Lee's career has taken him from creative advertising in London (1974-1987), to working for international advertising agencies and magazines like Vogue, Elle, Esquire, Bazaar. Being base in Tokyo and beyond (1987-2018) has opened the door to more creative and experimental image making. Imaginative portraits of Yayoi Kusama, Frank Gehry, Picasso, Issey Miyake, Sayoko Yamaguchi, Haruki Murakami, Rei Kawakubo, and Kengo Kuma are few of the people featured in this exhibition. From 2011 to 2014, Benjamin photographed renowned Japanese artists, Yayoi Kusama, for a whole issue of discover Japan and created a special exhibition "Yayoi Kusama / the Universe of an Imagination" at Gyre Gallery in Omotesando. In addition to photographs, the show included sculptures and silkscreens of Kusama, which was supported by Louis Vitton. Benjamin has probably photographed Yayoi Kusama more than any other photographer!!!

The Exhibitions Committee

FCCJ Photo Archives Exhibition
Oct. 29 - Dec. 07, 2018

MEIAN- Chiaroscuri Giapponesi
photo exhibition by Alessandra Maria Bonanotte

Sept. 29 - Oct.21, 2018/FCCJ Main Bar

Italian photographer Alessandra Maria Bonanotte travels extensively to photograph nature, culture, and people. In recent years she is especially fascinated by Japan, its nature, shrines and temples, festivals, traditional crafts, artist, and expert artisans. She is inclined to capture brilliant moments that have been inherited for a long time. In this exhibition, Japanese spirituality captured by Alessandra was expressed in the world of -MEIAN-, Japanese chiaroscuro.

DOUDOU BEACH -------Poetry of Sand-------
Photography exhibition by Yoshimitsu Yagi

Exhibition 8/4 - 9/28/2018 (extended)

Land of Clouds
Photo exhibition by Stirling Elmendorf

July 7 - Aug. 3, 2018

Stirling Elmendorf is a professional photographer who has lived in Japan for almost 10 years. He has worked internationally for architects, designers, hotels, magazines, newspapers, camera companies and lens makers alike. He began photographing the beauty of Shimane prefecture nearly 8 years ago...

Shimane Prefecture is a magical place. It's the cultural birthplace of Japan, home of many Shinto mythologies. My travels to Shimane began when I met my wife Kumiko, who was born in Izumo. I was captivated by the bucolic scenery, the rich, legend-filled cultural traditions and the dramatic and powerful Japan Sea coastline. The mix of modern lifestyles and ancient history is a delightful contrast.

After winning the Gran Prixe in a 2015 short film contest, Kumi and I became Izumo City Tourism Ambassadors. Since then, we have made an effort to travel back to Shimane, shooting stills and doing aerial (drone) photography in captivating locations around the prefecture and especially within Izumo.

DAYS OF LIGHT
Photo Exhibition by Peter Oxley

June 2 - July 6, 2018

Saigon
Photo exhibition by Megumi Asaoka

April 28 - June 1, 2018 FCCJ Main Bar

The first time I visited Saigon was in 2003 and I have returned a number of times since to photograph the city and its people. It has been a period of transition for this war-torn country. Buildings are on the rise with the Doi Moi (new change) Policy. It is particularly evident in the area around Ho Chi Minh City, which has been going through a major facelift. With a blank map, I traveled on the local buses and walked through the different communities. The area across the river was soon to disappear. Houses were falling into decay as tropical plants sought to reclaim the land. I could not stop from taking photographs. Everywhere corner I turned there was something that needed to be preserved on film before it was lost. Physically, much has changed since I first started traveling Ho Chi Minh, however many of its residences still refer to the city by its former name. For them, Saigon will always be Saigon. Behind the facade of lights and color that covers the city, daily life of the local people goes on much as it always has.

Sakura, and Words of Cherish and Love
The faint, pale feelings of the distant past
Calligraphy and Photography and Exhibition by Rekitei Harada and Akinobu Oguchi

Exhibition: March 31 - April 27, 2018

This art is a photo collection printed on the Japanese "Washi" paper, brushed over by the Japanese art of Shodo (Calligraphy). Focusing on the Sakura (Cherry Tree) which is the soul of every Japanese person, the words of cherish and love from the past are integrated. We live and suffer by naturally falling into love, being tormented between the feelings of hope and despair. This "law of nature" which also existed during the times of Man-you (around the 8th century), left the words and thoughts of the people expressing their commitment to love at that time. When these words and thoughts are expressed through Shodo, the ever-slight, and ever-pale memories may be revived.

Ufuagari-The Daito Islands-A Monologue of North and South
Photo exhibition by Masanori Ishibiki

March 3 - March 30, 2018 / FCCJ Main Bar

The World of the Professional Ski Instructors in Japan
-In Commemoration of an Olympic Year-
Photography from SIA Archives

Feb. 3 - March 2, 2018

In honor of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, the SIA (Professional Ski Instructors Association of Japan) would like to take this opportunity to share the jubilation and depth of skiing in Japan. A lifetime sport, it enjoys a large following from toddlers to seniors. The trill of skiing brings us closer to nature and is a source of great passion for both the novice and hardcore enthusiast. Please celebrate with us the beauty of this Nordic sport as we cheer for the athletics competing in the XXIII Winter Olympics.

SIA was established in 1968 and approved as an incorporated association in 1981. It is the only professional snow-sport organization in Japan that is a member of "ISIA" (International Ski Instructors Association). Nationwide, SIA has 133 ski schools, each with its own unique program geared to wide range of skiing abilities.

The Exhibitions Committee