Japan tsunami art, photo exhibit opens in Singapore

“Tohoku: Road to the Future" will be held on 21 September at the NUS University Town.

In a release, an international exhibition showcasing photos from the Tohoku disaster will open in Singapore on September 21, 2012. The event is organised by Relief 2.0, a movement that promotes sustainable disaster recovery.

“Tohoku: Road to the Future” features photos taken by co-founder of Relief 2.0 Mr Robin Low, of Tohoku one week and one year after the earthquake and tsunami, to showcase the disaster area’s recovery progress. Also on display will be pieces by artists Isao Hasegawa, a Tohoku survivor, and Miler Ramirez.

Products from Markets of Hope, a Relief 2.0 initiative, handicrafts made by the survivors will be on sale at the event, with proceeds going to buy more products from shelters in Tohoku.

“I want to change the public’s perception on disaster recovery, from the traditional model of ‘donor-recipient’ to ‘conscientiousness buyer-enerator of wealth’. When the survivors who make a quality product are able to make a living to support themselves, they can get their dignity back instead of just relying on charity and donations.

When these survivors earn money, they can buy their supplies locally, thus help in the restart their economy.” Mr Low said

“Tohoku: Road to the Future” was first opened in Fukuoka by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus on July 19. After stopping in Japan and Singapore, the travelling exhibition will be making its way to other parts of Southeast Asia, Europe, North and South America and Africa.

“Tohoku:Road to the Future” will be held on 21 September 2012, at the Foyer of Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium at NUS University Town, from 5pm to 9pm Admission is free.