The National Museum of Art

Anzaï Shigeo began his artistic career as a painter in the 60s, but transitioned to professional photography in 1970. With his 35mm camera, Anzaï documented the ephemeral works of the artists of his generation who comprised a movement known as Mono-ha, which explored the interaction between natural and industrial materials. Anzaï elected not only to cover Mono-ha artworks themselves, but the lives and personalities of the contemporary artists who created them. His canon helped spread the influence of a number of artists across the international scene. This exhibition includes a collection of photos by Anzaï, providing guests with an opportunity to witness a photojournalistic timeline of the changing Japanese contemporary art scene.