Kyotographie

For the 12th time, photographers from around the world present their work at the Kyotographie Photo Festival. Over a period of four weeks, visitors are able to explore 13 exhibitions by established artists such as Vivianne Sassen, Claudia Andujar, Tetsuo Kashiwada and Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, along with works by exciting newcomers.

With its centuries-old history and role as a leading cultural centre, Kyoto provides an iconic backdrop for the annual event, whose specific format is unique in Japan. Twelve venues across the city will host the carefully curated exhibitions. The mixture of traditional and modern buildings perfectly reflects the broad range of the showcased approaches: the exhibits enter into a symbiosis with the spaces in which they reside, creating an extraordinary viewer experience. 

The theme of this year’s edition, Source, was chosen by the festival’s joint founders and directors, Lucille Reyboz and Yusuke Nakanishi. “The source is the beginning, the initiator, the origin of all things. (…) Regardless of our life’s juncture, we stand at a crossroads, oscillating between returning to the primal origin and beginning something new. It is from this sacred space that the symphony of life, love, and pain reverberates.”

In parallel, Kyotographie’s satellite festival, KG＋, offers a rich programme of exhibitions dedicated to the work of emerging artists. A particular highlight is the group showcase post-, organised in collaboration with the Yakushima Photography Festival and the Villa Kujoyama. Images by Taro Karibe, Laurent Seroussivon, Satoru Watanabe and Julie Vacher are placed in a visual dialogue to explore the unconscious influences of our cultural heritage on the way we perceive the world. The exhibition will be on view at the city’s Institut Français du Kansai for the duration of the festival. 

The Kyotographie Photo Festival takes place from 13 April to 12 May 2024; advance tickets are available at kyotographie.jp.