{"id":2415,"date":"2025-01-27T13:48:34","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T04:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/?p=2415"},"modified":"2025-07-01T15:31:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T06:31:07","slug":"kawasaki-in-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/en\/kawasaki-in-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting Dialogue Through the Experience of \u201cGetting into Photos\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Local photography exhibitions can become valuable archives that document the history and daily life of a town. Depending on the exhibition method, it is even possible for visitors to experience \u201centering\u201d into the photo itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKAWASAKI in photos\u201d (organized by the National Center for Art Research, Tokyo University of the Arts, and Kawasaki City Museum) is held in the Kawasaki City Hall main building reconstruction room #205 until January 26, 2025. It displays photos selected from those submitted to open-call photo competitions from 1957 onward. While typical photo exhibitions often feature framed photos hung on walls, this exhibition adopts a different approach from conventional displays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They exhibited 20 photo panels reprinted using the silver halide technique. These were award-winning works from Kawasaki City photo competitions in the 1960s. When visitors placed a photo panel on a special table created for this exhibition, the shooting location and related videos of the photos were displayed on monitors. Additionally, visitors could freely view 300 digitized photos on a large monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some visitors were a little confused by the different style of presentation compared to standard exhibition formats. When a panel was placed on the stand, the photo was enlarged on the central monitor, and related video and photo data (such as title, photographer, year taken, camera information, etc.) were shown on the left and right monitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The combination of the photo with background information vividly revived\u00a0visitors\u2019 memories and sparked natural conversations among visitors, such as, \u201cThis is Kawasaki Station, right?\u201d and, \u201cIt used to look like that!\u201d The pairing of the photo with additional data brought memories to life, and some visitors began sharing stories from decades ago, like, \u201cI shopped here once.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In addition, a map titled Kawasaki in Your Memory was placed in the exhibition space where visitors could write down their thoughts and memories freely. Notes such as, \u201cI ate an American hotdog here,\u201d \u201cI used to visit the bowling alley often,\u201d and \u201cIt used to be such a beautiful station!\u201d were posted. It showed how the exhibition has come to serve as a shared space for personal memories and emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MUSEUM TRIP: Let\u2019s Travel into the Photos!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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With this thoughtfully arranged exhibition space, \u201cMUSEUM TRIP: Let\u2019s Travel into the Photos!\u201d events related to \u201cKAWASAKI in photos\u201d were held on November 16 and 23, 2024 (with four sessions in total, each with a maximum of 10 participants). During the event, participants could enjoy the exhibition while chatting with the art communicators known as Kotora<\/em>1<\/a><\/sup>. It was also designed to be enjoyable for people living with dementia as well as their families to participate together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The event began with participants looking at the exhibition photos. \u201cHow nostalgic!\u201d \u201cWhere is this?\u201d \u201cIt looks like a different country!\u201d Voices like these could be heard throughout the venue. Although it is the same town they live in now, the scenery from the 1960s felt very distant, like glimpses into another world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Afterwards, Dr. Yuichiro Suzuki, a curator from the Kawasaki City Museum, and Ms. Sawako Inaniwa from the National Center for Art Research gave an introduction to \u201cMUSEUM TRIP: Let\u2019s Travel in the Photos!\u201d They explained the background of the photos, the changes Kawasaki underwent during industrialization and urbanization, and the process of digitizing the competition photos and replicating them using silver halide technology. Additionally, they explained the system whereby IC chips or NFC (Near Field Communication) were embedded in the photo panels to display related content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The participants were impressed, saying, \u201cI see, now I understand\u201d and gained a deeper understanding of the exhibition\u2019s purpose and background. After this introductory exchange, they moved to another room that had been prepared for a more in-depth appreciation of the photos with the Kotora<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Divided into three groups, they took seats around tables sitting across from one another. The same photos displayed in the previous room were randomly placed on the tables. Before introducing themselves, the Kotora<\/em> asked the participants, \u201cIs there a photo you\u2019d like to enter?\u201d At first, the participants looked a bit confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnter the photo?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhich one do I want?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Though the question, \u201cWhich photo would you like to get into?\u201d seemed a bit abstract, each participant began picking out a photo that caught their attention. After everyone had selected a photo, they started by introducing themselves while explaining why they chose that particular photo.\u00a0Kotora<\/em>\u00a0continued to ask questions, drawing out comments from the participants. One person shared an anecdote: \u201cIn the 40s, during the Showa era (1965 to 1974) when I got married, the roads were not paved, and when we swept the alley, dust would rise.\u201d Others nodded, acknowledging, \u201cYes, that\u2019s how it was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through talking about the reason they selected a particular photo, the common experiences and connections among the participants became apparent. What stood out most was that all the participants had a connection to Kawasaki. As Kotora\u2019s<\/em> gentle questioning progressed, the atmosphere relaxed, and the participants became more at ease with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the next session, the group spent about 15 minutes closely examining a single photo. Normally, we don\u2019t take so much time to look at photos. What\u2019s more, the photos shown this time were submitted by local citizens, and many had no personal link to the participants. However, taking the time to observe prompted new insights and emotions related to the photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first photo shown on the monitor was one of two people observing the construction of a building. They looked like a mother and her daughter, or perhaps siblings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Title] At Yurigaoka Danchi housing complex [Estimated Photo location] Yurigaoka Danchi in Asao Ward. (Photo provided by Kawasaki City Museum)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs this a Danchi housing complex?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre two children looking at it??\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHmm\u2026maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this session, the photo was displayed in its enlarged form, but no related information appeared on the screen, unlike in the previous gallery. Initially, the conversation didn\u2019t take off very easily. However, the Kotora<\/em> encouraged them, saying, \u201cFeel free to share anything you notice or feel when looking at the photo..\u201d This created an environment where participants could share thoughts without worrying about finding the \u201cright\u201d answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hearing those words, one participant murmured, \u201cI see some numbers\u2026 What are these? 8622? It could be the area identification number?\u201d This comment attracted everyone\u2019s attention, and soon many participants were standing up and moving closer to the screen to examine the details. \u201cNow that the photo is enlarged, I\u2019m noticing fine details I didn\u2019t see before,\u201d they observed, as the conversation began to flow more freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe road is not paved. There\u2019s no gutter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe scaffolding looks like it\u2019s made of wood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre these two people talking about how great it will be to move into the completed apartment?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think this might be the mother and child.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, if so, the dad might have taken the picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are no workers at the construction site.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLook, there are clothes hanging in the back. That building was probably finished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen a scene like this, but it feels oddly nostalgic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt feels like a happy moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI feel a little lonely when I look at this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through these conversations, the participants began to share varied impressions of the photo. Some imagined the photographer\u2019s intentions, others considered the feelings of the people in the photo, and still others connected the image to their own memories and experiences. What began as just looking at a photo evolved into deeper dialogues. Before they knew it, 15 minutes had passed, and the next photo appeared on the screen. This one showed a pool, but it was in a rather unusual location: right in front of a train station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone Naturally Entered the Photo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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[Title] Unknown [Estimated photo location] In front of Keiky\u016b Kawasaki Station, Kawasaki Ward. (Photo provided by Kawasaki City Museum)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A pool in front of a station\u2014quite an unusual sight. The participants began discussing the context. One person recognized the place immediately:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOh, this is Keiky\u016b Kawasaki Station. You can tell by the shape of the train. I used to swim in this pool when I was a kid. I remember hearing Misora Hibari\u2019s Makkana Taiy\u014d <\/em>(Bright Red Sun) playing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe train windows are open. Back then, there was no air conditioning, so it must have been really hot and humid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re probably peeking in and wishing they could swim! (laughing)\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLook, there are flower wreaths on the poolside. This must have been right after it opened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat did they do with this pool during the winter, I wonder?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think it might have been a fishing pond.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, there used to be a lot of fishing ponds in the 40s Showa period.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLook, the parasol has a company name on it. I remember there was a factory there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having warmed up with the previous photo of the Danchi housing complex, the conversation flowed easily. Remarkably, as they continued talking, it felt as though the participants were no longer just talking about the photo; the temperature, color, conversation, sounds, atmosphere, and smells came alive. Eventually, they had entered the scene and were experiencing the world of the photo through all their senses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appreciating Artworks with Art Communicators<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Guided by the Kotora<\/em>, participants were able to ‘enter’ the photos. However, this was not solely due to the Kotora\u2019s<\/em> guidance\u2014it was also made possible by the participants\u2019 imagination, the technology embedded in the photo panels, and other contributing factors. Such dialogue-based appreciation can be applied to paintings, sculptures, installations, video works, and others too. It can create an occasion where people can connect, and share feelings and memories that lead to discoveries. More importantly, it opens dialogue, and that dialogue makes the appreciation of artwork into an \u201cexperience\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The event \u201cKAWASAKI in Photos\u201d<\/em> became a meaningful opportunity to expand the potential of dialogue-based appreciation, allowing visitors to engage with artworks in a positive and enjoyable way. If projects like this continue to spread, we can expect art to become more deeply integrated into our daily lives. \u201c<\/em>MUSEUM TRIP: Let\u2019s Travel in Photos!\u201d demonstrated the future potential of photographic memories to spark new conversations and foster future connections among people.<\/p>\n\n\n

  1. Kotora<\/em>\u00a0are communicators connecting people through arts as part of the \u201cKoto! Koto? Kawasaki.\u201d project. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li><\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Local photography exhibitions can become valuable archives that document the history and daily life of a town. Depending on the exhibition method, it is even possible for visitors to experience \u201centering\u201d into the photo itself. \u201cKAWASAKI in photos\u201d (organized by the National Center for Art Research, Tokyo University of the Arts, and Kawasaki City Museum) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/?p=2415","footnotes":"[{\"content\":\"Kotora<\/em>\u00a0are communicators connecting people through arts as part of the \u201cKoto! Koto? Kawasaki.\u201d project.\",\"id\":\"8452c6e5-ffa9-43a0-b7b9-34b9436dddad\"}]"},"categories":[15],"tags":[26,31,34,37,2,46],"post_label":[],"class_list":["post-2415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cultural-prescribing-today","tag-community","tag-community-engagement","tag-dialogue-engagement","tag-civil-society","tag-activities","tag-dementia","en-US"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2415"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3043,"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415\/revisions\/3043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2415"},{"taxonomy":"post_label","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aatomo.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_label?post=2415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}