After the Landscape Theory

The Tokyo Photographic Art Museum is pleased to present the exhibition After the Landscape Theory.

Landscape, epitomized by landscape painting that dates back to the early Renaissance, has been a core theme of Western modern art and the discussion of the relationship of art to beauty. In Japan as well, after the Meiji Restoration, the concept of landscape played an important role in the process of modernization. Meanwhile, because the visual art of the photographic image reproduces the perspective of the artist through the camera lens, landscape has been a central theme from the beginnings of the medium until today. Finally, landscape theory made its appearance during a time of societal flux, posing the question “What is landscape?” while examining the state of the social structure and aesthetic foundations.

The radical methodology of reexamining everyday landscapes from the angle of reality—expressing, through visual arts, landscape in its relationship to culture, society, and politics—exerted a powerful influence on photographers and filmmakers before and after 1970. This exhibition will reconsider the history of photography and film related to a histotion to Japanese photographic expression related to landscape theory, along with relevant documents from that time; and examine, primarily through materials from our collection, changes that have taken place in landscape and its expression, up through contemporary artists of today. Also, in the 1st floor auditorium, we will present events with contributing artists and screen films related to landscape theory, exploring the richness of the exhibition from multiple perspectives. In an era when technological advance has made it possible for everyone to capture landscapes during our daily lives, this will be an opportunity to take a new look at photography and film.

Chapter
–[2000–]
–[1970–2010]
–[1968–1970]
–Origin of The Landscape Theory

Artists
Adachi Masao/Iwabuchi Susumu/Nonomura Masayuki/Yamazaki Yutaka/Sasaki Mamoru/Matsuda Masao, Oshima Nagisa, Wakamatsu Koji, Nakahira Takuma, Imai Norio, Seino Yoshiko, Takashi Toshiko, Sasaoka Keiko, Endo Maiko

Events
–Screening of the exhibition artists works: Takashi Toshiko on August 26 and Endo Maiko on August 27
–Special Screening on Landscape Theory (Curator: Hirasawa Go) on August 24 and October 6–9, 12–13
More details here.

Curated by Tasaka Hiroko (Tokyo Photographic Art Museum).
Curatorial cooperation by Hirasawa Go.
Organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Photographic Art Museum operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Nikkei Inc..
Supported by Pola Art Foundation.

For press
If you have any press enquiries about this exhibition, please contact our Department of Public Relations. press-info [​at​] topmuseum.jp