Avangarudo bokkō: kindai Nihon no zen'ei shashin = Avant-garde rising : the photographic vanguard in modern Japan

Uittreksel

"In the history of photography in modern Japan, avant-garde photography was a movement influenced by the Surrealist and Abstract art introduced from abroad that flourished in amateur photography groups nationwide in the 1930s and 1940s. Because the period in these photographers were actively presenting work was very short, there have been few close examinations of this movement. Recently, however, research has been progressing at museums throughout Japan, and a growing number of exhibitions overseas have been drawing attention to these works. Until then, photography had been strongly influenced by painting, but avant-garde photography was not confined to painters. Poets and designers also participated, and this movement’s span grew. In particular, the International Surrealist Exhibition in 1937 put many photographers in contact with Surrealism and inspired them to work towards new forms of creative expression, while painters began using photographs in exploring styles not possible with painting alone. As wartime restrictions on the arts intensified, however, activities in each region were forced to come to an end. While it was impossible for avant-garde photography to resist the tide of militarism, seeing these works overshadowed by war reminds us of the importance of freedom of expression, as well as the breadth of creativity made possible by photography."-- Introduction.