By Caroline J. Posted Mar 9, 2023 3:18 PM
For its new major exhibition, the Maison de la Culture du Japon in Paris is honoring the work of Ken Domon, considered one of the most significant figures in the history of Japanese photography.
Notice to lovers of realistic shots! This spring and summer, the House of Culture of Japan in Paris offers us a very beautiful journey to discover the work of Ken Domon (1909-1990). Simply titled ” Ken Domon, the master of Japanese realism “, this free exhibition is the first in France devoted to this great photographer born in Sakata and considered one of the most famous Japanese photographers of the 20th century.
Have April 26 to July 13, 2023this installation reveals a hundred shots, taken between the 1930s and 1970s. The opportunity to discover the full extent of the work signed Ken Domon ; from his approach to photojournalism at the start of his career to his touching testimony on Hiroshima, through his striking portraits of street children and celebrities, without forgetting his fascination with ancient temples and Buddhist sculpture.
For this first major Parisian exhibition dedicated to Ken Domonthere House of Culture of Japan has chosen to exhibit photos taken from several reports, namely those of its two moving series on ” Hiroshima (1958) and The Children of Chikuho (1960). While the first deals with the living and not the dead, the second testifies to the poverty in the mining villages in the south of the country.
This first major installation dedicated to Ken Domon also unveils the series Portraits », where we discover the faces of personalities from various backgrounds (Mishima, Tanizaki, Foujita, Tarô Okamoto, Yûsaku Kamekura, Yasujirô Ozu, Toshirô Mifune…).
Finally, the House of Culture of Japan also exhibits the series Pilgrimage to ancient temples “, the longest taken by the photographer. Lovers of these sacred places, Ken Domon immortalized them during his many trips across the country, from 1939 until his death.