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Here's a disappointing article I came across on the web today
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/world/asia/japan-comfort-women/?iref=obinsite
Photographer Ahn Sehong was offered an exhibition at the Nikon Gallery in Tokyo. But then the powers that be discovered that the exhibition consisted of black and white photos of Korean women in their eighties and nineties, who had been forced to work as "comfort women" by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II, and all of a sudden the exhibition was cancelled; no reasons given.
So how about it, Nikon UK? Could you pick up the torch, after your historically misguided brethren in Tokyo dropped it? Any other takers?
|I am not defending Nikon or the Japanese government (if they were, indeed, involved in the decision). Ideally I would like to see unrestricted artistic and political expression.
However, let's bear in mind that CNN (like most American news media - and probably British too, although we don't like to admit it) is very politically biased and guilty of "news management" and that Ahn Sehong does use his photography for overtly political purposes.
And let's not forget that Nikon is a commercial company that has to think about what its shareholders want (profits).
I would suggest that Sehong should explore whether some gallery without any commercial links will display his work.
Your point about Nikon being a commercial company is well taken. But that's probably why I chose to say disappointed rather than outraged. We pride ourselves that photography is an art-form, rather than a technical process. They make their profits from artists. They should have the courage to go out on a limb from time to time.
The politics of the Cold War, and Douglas MacArthur's massive ego allowed the Japanese people to avoid facing up to the crimes committed in their name during the war. To some extent the history taught in schools everywhere tends to accentuate the positive and gloss over the less creditable exploits in a nation's past. But in Japan there is just a total lack of awareness that there were crimes and atrociities. They see themselves as victims of the Second World War, rather than one of the instigators. At this remove, it would be healthy for them to see another viewpoint. It may cause shock and anger, in the short-term, but making people think about their history is never a bad excercise.
It seems part of a wider sensitivity:
Quote: In terms of the outrage from those of South Korean nationality, it is connected to an issue from earlier this month about a monument in the United States. In a community with a large population of Korean descendants in Palisades Park, New Jersey, there is a monument built to honor the memory of comfort women. Japanese government officials requested that the monument be taken down, as it was reflective of behavior from a long time ago, and no longer represents the Japan of today. As expected, the town declined and its residents were furious with the request. As result, there was a small amount of protesting in Japan about Ahn’s planned photo exhibit.
http://japandailypress.com/controversy-over-nikons-cancelled-exhibit-about-korea...
Maybe without the US memorial it would have gone ahead but that issue seems to have upped the stakes.
Mike, thanks for your link. And when I opened up that page, I came across this
http://japandailypress.com/nikon-ordered-by-judge-to-show-ahn-se-hongs-korean-co...
So it appears as if the exhibition will go ahead, although whether it's a matter of principle or pressure remains to be seen.
Quote: allowed the Japanese people to avoid facing up to the crimes committed in their name during the war
The very same can be said of the " UK " the " USA " the " USSR " and many many others who claim to be the saviours and saints of " WAR ".....!!!!!!!
Every country that has ever engaged in war of any kind, Will have something to hide, Pointing the finger of scorn at any one in particular is total " Hypocrisy " ....!!!
Greed & hypocrisy, It's what makes the world go round.....
Oh I'm with you there. But no scorn was intended or implied. I simply said that it would be beneficial if they saw a different viewpoint. And the crimes weren't only against their enemies and the people of the countries occupied. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese conscripts died pointless deaths, cut off from any hope of supply, and defending strategically useless islands, and for what? Bushido? Honour? "Those who forget their history are condemned to repeat it."
Quote: allowed the Japanese people to avoid facing up to the crimes committed in their name during the war
The very same can be said of the " UK " the " USA " the " USSR " and many many others who claim to be the saviours and saints of " WAR ".....!!!!!!!
Every country that has ever engaged in war of any kind, Will have something to hide, Pointing the finger of scorn at any one in particular is total " Hypocrisy " ....!!!
Greed & hypocrisy, It's what makes the world go round.....
Totally agree with you there, Cameracat.
It becomes a very cloudy subject.
I happened to be in Hawaii a couple of months ago and there were masses of Americans there on a pilgrimage to the Pearl Harbour memorial for their 70th anniversary.
From the way they spoke and the way the media handled it, it was clear that they actually believed that the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour was unjustified and unwarranted. That is a perfect example of how a country's education system (and America does seem to subscribe heavily to the Hollywood school of history) and its media can totally distort history. And again I say that we might like to believe that things are more objective in Britain - but I rather doubt it.
Governments have to manipulate the truth about war otherwise they would be unable to sell the next one even to their own military never mind the public. Ask Thatcher who she banned from the Falklands press pack!
Quote: clear that they actually believed that the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour was unjustified and unwarranted.
I would like to hear the reason for its justification
The fact that, although USA was not officially at war, they were using the lend-lease scheme to ship billions of $$$s worth of military equipment across the Pacific to Japan's enemies (in exactly the same way as they were shipping it across the Atlantic to us).
But the Hollywood version conveniently ignores that.
.
Quote: The fact that, although USA was not officially at war, they were using the lend-lease scheme to ship billions of $$$s worth of military equipment across the Pacific to Japan's enemies
Ok, I'll bite. Who were these enemies?
The lease lend was done to aid the USSR and Britain, at war with Germany........who were allies of Japan......and all of them busy proving what a pain patriotism, jingoism and politics are...worth repeating that those who fail to learn from history`s mistakes will repeat them...Afghanistan being the best example at the moment.
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