The Asama International Photo Festival 2019 is currently held at Miyota, a town situated right next to Karuizawa. This year is the festival’s first year and the exhibition is held at three locations around Mt. Asama. The main area, PHOTO MIYOTA will be held at the Miyota Museum of Photo (MMoP), the former location of Musée d’art Mercian Karuizawa. The PHOTO KARUIZAWA will be held at the town of Karuizawa, and the PHOTO KITAKARUIZAWA will be held at 2 locations in Naganohara in Gunma Prefecture. Since last year’s pre-exhibition, the exhibition have expanded into a larger scale.
Photographer, Kazunari Koyama published “Miyota no Neiro” (The Tone of Miyota), a photo collection filled with beautiful scenery of Miyota. For one year, Koyama visited Miyota frequently for photo shooting before the Asama International Photo Festival. The photo collection shows the expression of four seasons and the sense of aspiration and respect towards the calm life of the local people. The project shows Koyama’s determination to nurture the Asama International Photo Festival with the town of Miyota.
Miyota is situated on the foot of Mt. Asama.
Photography by © Kaz Koyama | amana photography
The Shidarezakura (Weeping Cherry Trees) blooms quietly to notice the arrival of spring at Baseguchi.
Photography by © Kaz Koyama | amana photography
Every year in July, the Ryujin (Dragon God) flies through the town of Miyota at the Miyota Ryujin Matsuri. Koyama’s photo collection “Miyota no Neiro” can be purchased at the Asama International Photo Festival 2019 for 5,000 Yen. The photo collection is also included as Miyota’s Hometown tax program.
Photography by © Kaz Koyama | amana photography
This year is the festival’s first year and their theme is “TRANSFORM Chemistry of Image”.Photos, videos, installations and interactive arts using the latest camera system are exhibited at the festival for visitors to experience the transforming art of photography. 728 works by 55 photographers from all around the world is exhibited making a worth seeing experience. The works are displayed at both indoors and outdoors in various styles creating a rich experience for both children and adults.
Charles Fréger’s “CIMARRON” The vivid colors of the festival costume are beautiful.
Italy’s Po River is collaged by Sohei Nishino in his work, “IL PO”.
“You Run Around Town Like a Fool and You Think that it’s Groovy” A fun work with humor and pastoral atmosphere by Chantal Rens.
Naoyuki Hata’s “Rayleigh” is exhibited with the trees.
The portraits of more than 500 people of Miyota overwhelms the visitors.
Nowadays, most of us would see and shoot photos everyday using our smartphones. But these photo experience occur in a small screen limited to only few inches. The Asama International Photo Festival 2019 allows us to experience photography in scales and styles beyond our current conception. The new experience of enjoying photos with Miyota’s nature in autumn colors await visitors.
◆Asama International Photo Festival 2019
Exhibition Period: Saturday, September 14 – Sunday, November 10, 2019
Exhibition Hours: 10:00-17:00
*Ticket sales and reception close at 4:30 PM
Ticket Price: Free
*Several exhibition areas will require admission fee.
*Visitors under Junior High School are free of charge
Address: 1794-1, Maseguchi, Miyota-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
Planned Site of the Miyota Museum of Photography (Formerly the Musée d’art Mercian Karuizawa) and surrounding area .
Event Information
Oct.13th (Sun.) Let’s create art with photographs and illustration (Moleskine)
Oct.14th (Mon.) 26th (Sat.) Mini Camera Bag Making Workshop(Hamano Leather Kogei)
October 27th (Sun.) Father’s Easy Walk in PHOTO MIYOTA
October 27th (Sun.) Editing with Smartphone – Instagram TikTok Editing Seminar
*Event Information, Hours and further information can be found in the below website.
Official Website
https://asamaphotofes.jp/
