DELTA ACADÉMIE
The Theory and Practice of Photographic Publications in 1960s and 1970s Japan
Vol.1: "Constellation Photography: The Photography of American Military Bases in Japan by Tōmatsu Shomei"

At DELTA / KYOTOGRAPHIE Permanent Space, we are pleased to introduce "DELTA Académie", a dynamic and multifaceted program offering events, workshops, and educational activities.
For the first half of 2025, we will host a four-part lecture series featuring Kasumi Kugo.
The lecture will focus on the late 1960s to the 1970s, a period when Japan saw a surge in the publication of photobooks and photography magazines. These lectures will explore how photography was not merely a form of artistic expression but also influenced language and thought. Additionally, the series will delve into the advertising and fashion photography of the era.
By re-examining the postwar trends in Japanese photography, now gained renewed attention. We aim to foster a deeper understanding of contemporary photographic expressions and uncover new perspectives.

Program Overview:
In November 1968, a group of photographers in Tokyo published their first photobook, "Provoke: Provocative Materials for Thought". In their manifesto, they boldly stated that their photographic works went beyond mere visual representation, influencing language and altering thought. During this period, photobooks and photography magazines flourished in Japan, drawing increasing international attention in recent years. This lecture series will explore key figures of the era, such as Shōmei Tōmatsu, Takuma Nakahira, and Koji Taki, along with lesser-known works in advertising and fashion photography. By examining these visual materials in their broader social and political contexts, we seek to illuminate the photographic and media landscape of postwar Japan.

Lecture 1: "Okinawa Okinawa (in Kanji) Okinawa": Shōmei Tōmatsu’s Photographs of U.S. Military Bases
Okinawa Okinawa (in Kanji) Okinawa: The Photographs of American Military Bases in Japan by Tōmatsu Shomei
In the 1960s, Shōmei Tōmatsu documented U.S. military bases across Japan, capturing the surrounding towns and their people. These images, initially serialized in "Asahi Camera" under the "Occupation" series, were later recompiled into the photobook "Okinawa Okinawa (in Kanji) Okinawa". Through an in-depth look at the "Occupation" series and "Okinawa Okinawa (in Kanji) Okinawa", this lecture will examine how Shōmei Tōmatsu engaged with the complex political and social issues of postwar Japan, U.S. occupation, and the unique circumstances of Okinawa.