Staring at the Face of the Sun by Kei Ito

By (author): Kei Ito

Title: Staring at the Face of the Sun

Subtitle: Solo Exhibition at the Georgia Museum of Art

Blurb/Shorttext:

Staring at the Face of the Sun is an artist book recording the exhibition held at the Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia, from January 27 to July 14, 2024. This book and exhibition delve into the career of multidisciplinary artist Kei Ito, exploring themes of memory, history, and resilience. Drawing from his heritage as a third-generation hibakusha (atomic bomb victim), Ito uses innovative photographic techniques to address the hidden narratives of nuclear history and intergenerational trauma. Within these personal and hidden contexts, Ito bridges the divide between the US and Japan; challenging the definition of who nuclear victims are to include Downwinders and many more.

The exhibition spans five rooms, each offering a unique perspective on the impact of nuclear weaponry and the spirit of those affected. Ito’s work, such as the camera-less photography in Sungazing Scroll, reveals the invisible forces of radiation and life, creating a visual language that speaks to both trauma and healing. By excavating and unveiling hidden histories connected to his own, Ito utilizes his generational past as a case study for reckoning with contemporary and future events.

Kei Ito’s art invites viewers to reconsider the victims and survivors of nuclear events, emphasizing our shared human experience and the possibility of reconciliation. This artist book captures the exhibition’s journey from darkness to light, reflecting on resilience and the enduring impact of nuclear legacies.

ISBN: 978-87-7620-329-0

Book language: English

Publishing house: Snap Collective

Website: www.snap-collective.com

Editorial Assistant: Anna Romanovich

Designer: Tea Jagodic

Published on: 08/05/2024

Category: Art

Price (€): 89

Keywords: Contemporary Art, Installation Art, Contemporary Photography, Cameraless photography, Downwinders, Atomic Art, Japanese American Art, Georgia Museum of Art, BIPOC Artist