Celebrating Life by Toshi Kazama

21 October to 22 October 2017

Overview

It is said that we find the true precious value of life only in the reflection of death, in all its forms. Come join us for a weekend of reflection on this veteran photographer’s work which asks us if there is any value in killing a human being. Does it contradict our desire to celebrate life and to live it?

About the exhibition:

Toshi Kazama’s subjects mostly stare straight into the lens or show their profile, looking at distant sources of light. Some are smiling shyly, others look serious or absent-minded. Despite their varying backgrounds, they have one thing in common: They are all juvenile offenders on death row. Toshi Kazama is firmly opposed to the death penalty and has now been campaigning against it through his work since 1996, when he embarked on this unusual project, meeting and photographing juvenile death row inmates in the United States and Asia.

Twenty searing black-and-white photographs will be on display at Celebrating Life exhibition, including images of the young death-row inmates, execution chambers, as well as family members of people who were killed and who have reached out to the killers.

Exhibition View

Artist

A chance photographic project assignment for former United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor changed the life of New York-based Japanese photographer Toshi Kazama forever.  The assignment piqued his curiosity and resulted in his first photo session with a young American on death row for two counts of murder. Despite considerable trepidation, the ‘monster’ he expected to meet turned out to be a normal-looking child with extremely limited intelligence.  As Kazama saw this young boy in front of him, “I couldn’t resist shaking his hand, as I do with all my subjects. Then I hugged him. That changed my life forever. I felt that if I were to neglect his life, I would be neglecting my own life”.

His photographs are always black and white, stark and bare, focused on the instruments of state-sponsored execution or on those waiting for their lives to be ended.  A former commercial photographer, Kazama has now dedicated his life to the abolition of the death penalty.

Exhibition Details

From 21 October to 22 October, Celebrating Life exhibition by New York-based photographer Toshi Kazama will open at Visual Arts Centre.

Capturing the intimate portraits of people on death row and the methods of execution, Kazama brings an unflinchingly personal look into the realities of this system and its form in the USA and Taiwan.

Workshop

Focus on Life: A Photography Workshop

Join Toshi Kazama as he walks us through his art, and his inspiration behind crafting each image. Suitable for photography enthusiasts and photographers regardless of skill level.

October 20, 6PM – 8PM, at Visual Arts Centre Exhibition Gallery. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Through registration only: https://goo.gl/forms/EsalpJNLv5JNMBqG3

 
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Agree Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions – Neon Glow Art Jamming & Colour Blast Party (Saturday Sessions Only)

  1. Participation
    • Participation in the Neon Glow Art Jamming & Colour Blast Party is voluntary. By participating, all participants acknowledge that they understand and accept the nature of the activities and agree to participate at their own risk.
  2. Health & Safety
    • The event takes place in an outdoor festival environment featuring bright lighting effects, flashing lights, amplified music, and high sound levels, which may not be suitable for individuals who are sensitive to light, sound, or have related medical conditions.
    • Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are medically fit to participate in the activities.
  3. Colour Blast Party
    • The Colour Blast Party uses coloured cornflour powder.
    • By participating in the Colour Blast Party, participants confirm that they:
      • Do not have any known allergy or sensitivity to cornflour, corn, coloured powder, or similar materials.
      • Do not suffer from asthma, respiratory conditions, or any medical condition that may be aggravated by airborne powder.
      • Understand the nature of the activity and voluntarily choose to participate.
  4. Face & Body Painting
    • Optional face and/or body painting may be available during the event.
    • Participants choosing to receive face or body painting confirm that they have no known allergies or skin conditions that may be affected by cosmetic or body paint products. Participants with sensitive skin are advised to refrain from participating.
  5. Assumption of Risk
    • Participants acknowledge that participation in the event, including but not limited to art jamming, the Colour Blast Party, face and/or body painting, and related activities, carries inherent risks, including accidental slips, falls, minor injuries, allergic reactions, respiratory irritation, or other unforeseen incidents.
  6. Indemnity and Release
    • By participating in the event, participants agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to release, discharge, and indemnify Visual Arts Centre, CHIJMES, their respective officers, employees, volunteers, contractors, sponsors, partners, and representatives from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, expenses, injuries, or actions arising out of or in connection with participation in the event, except where such claims arise directly from the negligence or wilful misconduct of the organisers.
  7. Personal Responsibility
    • Participants are responsible for their own personal belongings and should exercise reasonable care while participating. Appropriate clothing and footwear suitable for an outdoor event are recommended.
  8. Organiser's Rights
    • Visual Arts Centre and CHIJMES reserve the right to refuse participation or remove any participant whose behaviour is deemed unsafe, disruptive, or poses a risk to others. The organisers also reserve the right to modify, postpone, suspend, or cancel the event due to weather, safety concerns, or unforeseen circumstances.

Agree Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions For All Course/Workshop(s) at Visual Arts Centre (VAC):