Photography Exhibition Offers Glimpse of Modern Japanese Life from the 1970s to the 21st Century

Shuji Yamada, Ashiyahama Season Town- One of more that 75 prints to be on display at the exhibit.

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Stunning cityscapes and intriguing glimpses into Japanese lives during the rapid economic growth of the 1970s through the dawn of the 21^st century make up a new photography exhibition opening at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.

The exhibit, Gazing at the Contemporary World: Japanese Photography from the 1970s to the Present, is on loan to NSU through the Japan Foundation in conjunction with Eiichi Kawahara, Consul General of Japan in Miami. The Japan Foundation, founded in 1972, promotes international understanding through cultural, art, and intellectual exchange.

Gazing at the Contemporary World includes more than 75 prints taken by 23 photographers focusing on two related themes. The first theme, “A Changing Society,” focuses on the human element of progress, while the second theme, “Changing Landscape,” focuses on the dichotomy between Japanese cities, suburbs and nature.

The historic period covered by Gazing at the Contemporary World spans from the country’s economic boom in the 1970s, to the inflation and “bubble economy” of the ‘80s and early ‘90s, which marked the decline of rural Japan amid the rise of consumer culture. The exhibit then culminates with imagery from the “Lost Decades” at the turn of the century, as Japan fought to forge a new future for its citizen in the “information revolution” era.

Before coming to NSU, the exhibit traveled through Chile, and will next head to Mongolia to continue on its world tour.

While in Florida, Gazing at the Contemporary World is free and open to the public from Tuesday, March 5 through Friday, April 12 in the Cotilla Gallery of NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library, at 3301 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd. in Davie, during the following hours:

• Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Related exhibit events include:

• Going Mobile: How Smartphones & Social Media Revolutionized Photography
  Saturday, March 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Cotilla Gallery
  Join award-winning artist, photographer, and designer Andy Royston as he leads an exploration of mobile photography. Learn how the social explosion of photography has changed how we see, value and use photographs as smartphone camera and digital devices teach us to create, communicate and share in a new visual way.
  

• Local Teens Interpret Gazing at the Contemporary World
  Runs March 9 to 14, in the Alvin Sherman Library Atrium
  To celebrate Teen Tech Week, teens from University School of NSU’s Digital Arts program will take photos inspired by their interpretation of the Gazing at the Contemporary World exhibit, which will then be on display to the public in the Library’s Atrium.

• Digital Camera Basics Workshop
  Wednesday, March 20 from 1 to 3 p.m.
  Learn how to upload files, and simple photo editing techniques while exploring tools to share your photos. Class is free, but limited to 20 participants. Please reserve your spot today by visiting www.nova.edu/library/main.

For more information, please visit www.nova.edu/library/main.

About The Japan Foundation’s Traveling Exhibitions: The Japan Foundation continuously conducts the “Traveling Exhibitions Program” to introduce Japanese arts and culture overseas. The traveling exhibitions include a wide range to introduce traditional Japanese beauty such as ceramic art, craft and Japanese dolls, and showcase the reality of modern Japan through contemporary art, photography, architecture and design. Approximately 20 permanent traveling exhibitions are on the road throughout the year, appearing in more than 100 art galleries, museums and cultural facilities. These traveling exhibitions are co-organized by the Japan Foundation and diplomatic missions abroad, with the cooperation of the art galleries, museums and cultural organizations in each country. For more information, please visit https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/index.html.

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Contact:

Andra Liwag
NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309 office
954-873-8494 cell
andrali@nova.edu