See The City of Tokyo Through Different Lenses
A fascinating trip through time and culture has landed in Manila as the traveling photography exhibition TOKYO Before/After had its opening night at the Third Floor East Wing of the Estancia Mall in Pasig last May16, 2025. The exhibit will run from May 17 – July 31, 2025. Admission is free and open to the public.
TOKYO Before/After features a selection of approximately 80 photographs of Tokyo captured in the 1930s-40s, presented in juxtaposition with those taken after 2010. Through comparing photographs from these two distinct periods, the past, present, and future image of Tokyo emerges and reveals itself.
The 1930s-40s saw the current framework of Tokyo begin to take form. Photographers from that time utilized developing means of photographic expression to establish vibrant images of urban space where tradition and modernity contended with one another. Works in this section include images from the photography magazine KOGA, the NIPPON photobook, and snapshots of downtown Tokyo by Kineo Kuwabara.
On the other hand, Tokyo in the 2010s saw a significant transformation right up to the 2020 Olympic Games. Photographers during this time emphasized their individual perspectives while incorporating the alternating and ever-changing means of photographic expression brought about by rapid digitization. Included in this section are works by celebrated Japanese photographers Mika Ninagawa, Natsumi Hayashi, and Shinya Arimoto, among other prominent lensmen and women.
“Tokyo is like a living thing in the way that it constantly grows, sheds its skin, and transforms,” says exhibition curator Kotaro Iizawa. “Photography as a medium that harbors both objectivity and subjectivity could perhaps be considered a powerful tool in capturing and understanding this city.”
According to Mr. Ben Suzuki, Director of The Japan Foundation, Manila, “The aim of the exhibition, through the works of Japanese photographers in this exhibition and their specific imagery, is to encourage a deeper understanding of Tokyo as a vast city of many different faces. We hope that this exhibition will be enjoyed by both photography enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike.”
Exciting campaigns like the Tokyo B/A Pass and other side events and talks will also be part of the exhibition’s programming. Details will be announced through The Japan Foundation, Manila social media pages, and official website.
The exhibition will be available for viewing within Estancia’s opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (opening hours may change without prior notice), from May 17 to July 31, 2025. . Admission to the exhibition is free.
The TOKYO Before/After photography exhibition is organized by The Japan Foundation, Manila, supported by JT International (Philippines), Inc. and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, with Estancia Mall as the venue partner.
arkadymac.com has been a media partner for The Japan Foundation, Manila events. Many thanks to our Correspondent Yanna for covering the event for us.
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