The Strata of Time by Seido Kino

This project invites viewers to consider what it means for a country to grow, and the advantages and disadvantages linked to that growth, by overlaying archival photographs from the 1940s-60s within current scenes of the same location. Early in Japan’s period of rapid economic growth from 1945 to 1973, the trade-off for affluence was pollution in many parts of the country. As an island, its land and resource constraints also led to an uneven population distribution. The issues found in contemporary society are often the result of past activities, and there is a need to look at these issues closely. Fortunately, the photographer notes that ‘the Japanese are known for their love of photography, and many citizens have captured images of their country over time’. This documentation can help others look at growth and think about how to prevent problems from reoccurring.