The photography project “European Eyes on Japan/Japan Today vol.21” has invited two European photographers to stay and shoot in Tochigi prefecture in 2019. One of them, the Bulgarian photographer Vladimir Pekov, will finally show his photographs in Tochigi City after the exhibitions in the European Capitals of Culture Matera (Italy) and Plovdiv (Bulgaria) in 2019!
A committee has been formed by local residents to organize this exhibition, and various events will be held during the exhibition period. There will also be an online talk event with Mr. Pekov. The exhibition will be held from August 14 (Sat.) to 29 (Sun.) at five venues in Tochigi City.
"With the opening of the current exhibition in Japan, I would like to draw the audience's attention to the fact that reality is subjective. Thanks to Mr. Kato and Mikiko, who showed unconditional support and confidence in the work process. Without them, this exhibition would not have been possible. Gratitude to the team from Plovdiv 2019 European Capital of Culture, who support my work." Vladimir Pekov
Ongoing since 1999, the project European Eyes on Japan consists in inviting to Japan photographers who are working in Europe to record for posterity images of the various prefectures of Japan on the theme of contemporary Japanese people and how they live their lives. Artistic director of the project is Mikiko Kikuta. The photographs shot in various locations around Japan are collected the following year in the “European Eyes on Japan” publications and in exhibitions featured in cities throughout Japan and the European Capital of Culture. Works that have completed the exhibition circuit are then donated to their prefectures of origin as part of the cultural heritage of their later generations. The project is carried out every year, with the intent that all 47 Japanese prefectures ultimately be photographed.
IN 2019 THE PROJECT IS REALIZED THROUGH COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN PLOVDIV AND MATERA – EUROPEAN CAPITALS OF CULTURE 2019 AND TOCHIGI PREFECTURE.
The selected photographers are Vladimir Pekov from Plovdiv and Alessia Rollo from Matera. The residence in Japan was in March/April 2019. Exhibitions were held in Matera - June/August and in Plovdiv in November 2019. The Japanese exposition of Vladimir will be available till 29th August.
Link to the event HERE
