Yasuzo Nojima

One of the most important figures in the history of modern Japanese photography. Yasuzo Nojima’s works range from kaiga shugi shashin (pictorial photography) to shink shashin (new/straight photography) of the early twentieth century. His earliest works are characterized by a density and heaviness echoing that of pictorialism, based in his subtle sensitivity and the pigment printing process, the mainstream printing method of that time. In the 1930s, his style took a drastic turn under the influence of new trends in German photography, shifting toward cropped gelatin silver prints in pursuit of a form of expression that is unique to the medium. Nojima was also known as an enthusiastic art lover, opening a gallery in Tokyo at his own expense, holding exhibitions of works by up-and-coming artists. This catalogue is composed of works from the Nojima Collection at Museum of Modern Art of Kyoto.

Filippo Maggia teaches History of Contemporary Photography and Design at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Turin.