The Japan Foundation and PIX invites you to the Artist Talk by Niha Masih and Zishaan Akbar Latif of current issue of PIX: Recovery.

This issue of PIX marks the completion of two years of Great East Japan Earthquake as a gesture or a metaphor for understanding the various meanings that people invest in images of reconciliation or restoration.

Under the theme of “Recovery” twelve photographers have captured moments that affected them and have tried to portray how one can face such situations.

The massive earthquake that struck Eastern Japan on 11th March 2011 brought about large-scale destruction. The Tohoku region was at the centre of this tragedy. The devastating conditions filtered out to the world through photographs and other visuals provided by the media. In such an extraordinary circumstance, people were reminded once again of nature’s immense power – the helplessness of man as it were, yet also the resilience and strength of the Tohoku inhabitants – hence ironically, as a whole, the gamut of images were of devastation and hope.

We are living in an era of rapid change – though the change may not always be for the best nor refer solely to technological advancement. It may in fact highlight social structures, daily customs, cultural values and ecological transformations. Such changes are often beyond the control of a single individual – some of them may belong to the realm of the sub-conscious or brought about by nature. At the heart of such a cultural evolution is need for reflection and the ability to recover that which gets lost along the way.