With KYOTOGRAPHIE’s opening rescheduled in September we are excited to celebrate and share with you our rearranged program and operations. The 8th edition of the KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival will be held from September 19th–October 18th 2020.
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Around the world, more and more of the population is suffering from nearsightedness. The result of making profit and indulging in self-interest at any cost has made our society and environment crumble. We face now an invisible terror, a virus sweeping across the world eroding our systems and securities. Acting alone is no longer an option, we must abandon our myopic governments and attitudes to band together to create a new paradigm. The word “VISION” refers our physical functional vision, but also the mind’s eye. In these unprecedented times, what kind of future does the world see?

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For KYOTOGRAPHIE 2020, “VISION” gathers diverse perspectives. In order to change the world, we must first change our “VISION” of it. After all, the world is created by our collective consciousness. Once we can perceive the world’s problems as a cumulative effect of generations of mismanagement and avoidance, assuming responsibility for our past, and future actions as a species we can change the world.
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KYOTOGRAPHIE, held in the spring in the ancient city of Kyoto, is one of the few truly international artistic events taking place in Japan. While honoring its millennium of history and tradition, Kyoto is at the same time a leading light of culture on an international scale. Valuable collections of photography and works by internationally renowned artists are exhibited in elegant, historic buildings as well as modern architec- tural spaces. Some shows feature the work of traditional artisans, while others highlight collaborations with the most modern technology. The exhibitions are presented outside the traditional galley format and work in harmony with the spaces in which they reside. Our goal is to present a multifaceted photography festival that cannot be found anywhere else but Kyoto.

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The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami was a vivid reminder of the need for solid platforms for communication and cultural exchange between Japan and the rest of the world. Japanese camera and printing technology is legendary, but Japanese photographers still have a long way to go in terms of being recognized for their use of photography as a medium of expression. KYOTOGRAPHIE seeks to explore issues that a ect us all through photography while showcasing the incredible talent in Japan and the rest of the world here in Kyoto, a city of both tradition and innovation. In this e ort we have bene ted from the assistance of numerous corpora- tions, organizations and individuals, as well as the city, prefectural and national governments. Without this support, KYOTOGRAPHIE would not be possible. Young people, in particular, have the potential to serve as a link between Japan and the rest of the world. While every day of preparation has been a process of trial and error, each one has brought new encounters and opportunities. We are confident this fusion of the new and the old will bring about new ways of thinking, and propel our festival to new heights.

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Response to Covid-19

With KYOTOGRAPHIE’s opening rescheduled in September we are excited to celebrate and share with you our rearranged program and operations. To present KYOTOGRAPHIE in the new health and economic climate created by Covid-19 we have made a commitment to your safety and entertain- ment. Our commitment includes rearranging our venues and exhibition design, along with the implementation of new health protocols speci c to each venue and event, and visitor encounters that allow for social distancing while providing an authentic KYOTOGRAPHIE experience.

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To coincide with the new style of KYOTOGRAPHIE we have changed our carbon footprint in numerous ways. We have limited printed materials and are o ering a new style of catalogue. We have also reduced our festivities, including the cancelation of the International Portfolio Review and paring back public and o cial events. Acting more locally we welcome more of the community and forge new bonds and maintain important relationships. Our approach will allow us to focus our available resources in strengthening our commitment to emerging and mid-career artists. By adapting KYOTOGRAPHIE to suit our society we are able to create new discoveries and opportunity, and with our new KYOTOGRAPHIE permanent space, DELTA we can develop diverse ideas.

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Omar Victor Diop >> Marie Liesse >> Pierre-Elie de Pibrac >> Atsushi Fukushima >> Maïmouna Guerresi >> Kai Fusayoshi >> Mari Katayama >> Wing Shya >>Marjan Teeuwen >> Elsa Leydier >> Ryosuke Toyama

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www.kyotographie.jp

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