“Modest Wishes” Kagee Exhibition　2005
 

The Kgee(shadow pictures) exhibition was made public outdoors on August 5 &6 ,2005. The theme was“ Old and Good pre-war Hiroshima” to make memory of 60 years after the war. Two locations were selected: at the foot of Motoyasu Bridge and Sorasaya Bridge.The exhibition was a success thanks to cooperation of local people and visitors for this purpose.
 

A few days before I visited Hiroshima ,the panels were all painted.

The left: Mr.Yokoyama/ Kosakusha plant
The right: Ms. Masumi Takabayashi

On the 5th I flew to Hiroshima and moved to Kosakusha plant with Ms. Nishikawa who arrived by the Shinkansen. We worked on together with the local high school students and the teacher.

Voice from RCC Radio station where Ms.Kyoko Heya spoke lots about the exhibition to advertise.

Many people visited because of that radio announcement.
Ice cream tasted great during the hot daytime.The local high school students made the pictures such as fireworks , wave, crane and Yakatabune at Sorasaya Bridge for the 2 days of hard working on 5 & 6.

All were enthusiastic to produce them.

The foot of Motoyasu Bridge is near to a busy street between the downtown and Hiroshima Peace Park. We moved from Kosakusha Plant to the exhibit location where lots of people worked hard for preparation.
This is how it is seen from a distance. Until sunset no pictures look beautiful. It was a hot day with cicadas singing loudly in chorus.

This is how it is seen in the night. The folded-Japanese paper cranes underneath were made by the local people during the daytime.
You see the works on side wall that attracted many visitors.

Exhibition throughout night.

All helped cover the blue sheets when it started raining. The exhibition continues like this until rain is completely stopped.

Flow of visitors was endless for these two days.

People flooded particularly on the evening of 6.

At the same time the big picture made by all was displayed along the riverside of Sorasaya Bridge on the evening of 6. The photos of those killed in the war were shown in front of the pictures.

Rain and wind were utterly shut just before the opening. The concert deeply impressed all.

Toro, lighted lanterns, were slowly floated. We watched Toro and walked to Motoyasu Bridge where lots of people got busy.
 

I was afraid that those who are familiar with the pre-war Hiroshima would accept the pictures I created. They might think these are different and far from what it was. Fortunately I was happy to hear that my pictures reminded them of old and sweet history of Hiroshima. Some repeated visits and some spoke about the experiences of being A-bombed. Besides, many people unexpectedly gave me cooperation from the beginning to the end. "The Modest wishes" exhibition has happened to become the" big wishes" exhibition for all. Joining the peace memorial ceremony, I read the special edition by Chugoku Newspaper remarkably featuring the Kagee exhibition. It showed the distinctive photo with subtitle “ A-bomb calmly accused the war that destructed peace”.

 

Lastly, I want to express my thanks to:

Nonaka family, Takabaashi family. Yokoyama of Kosakusha Plant, Yamauchi family in Kamakura, Ms. Itsuko who prepared cold drinks available at the exhibit locations, friends of Ms. Heya helping the project overall, Mr.Okano who upgraded and provided us with power,　Mr.Tetsuji who played a sleepless security. Heya family who visited us from all Japan,Atsuko family from Shimane to see the lights, Yoko and Yoshiko Matusi who helped prepare the exhibits during their travel, Ms.Nishi sponsoring the concert, especially to Ms.Heya and Ms. Nishikawa with all my heart. Thanking all who visited us. I have no words to say for those whom I should thank gave me a word “Arigato”instead.