Robert Frank Exhibition

Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts

Finished

Artists

Robert Frank

Robert Frank's emergence shook the photography world in the 1950s.

Born in 1924 in Switzerland, Frank learned the basics of photography in his homeland and began his career as a photographer. Around 1947, he started to engage in what would be termed street photography, capturing private moments in urban settings. His notable journey across the American continent, capturing various locales, culminated in the publication of "The Americans" in the United States in 1959, which garnered significant acclaim and firmly established his name as a photographer.

"The Americans" and his other works from that time are characterized by their poetic quality. While much of documentary photography until then aimed for improvements in print quality, composition, and framing, Frank infused his works with his intuitive emotions. Layering a personal whisper over seemingly mundane moments, he transformed them into humane and poignant scenes. His dual role as a photographer and poet moved viewers' hearts, earning his style a place in photographic history as a new expressive form.

Since its opening in 1995, the Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts has been collecting outstanding works by domestic and international photographers taken before they turned 35. The museum houses early works by Frank, including vintage prints produced at the time of their capture. In 2019, a large-scale exhibition was held under his auspices, coincidentally marked by his passing during the exhibition period.

2024 marks the centennial of Robert Frank's birth. This exhibition revisits his works alongside pieces by 20 contemporary photographers from around the world. By juxtaposing works captured in Japan, America, and Europe during the 1950s, we aim to reassess this period in photographic history and reflect on the significant impact Frank made on the world of photography.

Schedule

Jul 6 (Sat) 2024-Sep 29 (Sun) 2024