Photography in suppost of Japan
Dreadful devastations caused by the recent series of the natural disasters in Japan has put out a call for action, and numerous photography initiatives – organizations and individuals alike – set to raise funds in support for the victims.
Life Support Japan programme is a joined effort of Crista Dix of Wall Space and Aline Smithson of Lenscratch. They encourage the global creative community to donate images that are sold online in limited editions of 10 8.5 x 11 inch signed prints at a price of $50. The funds raised will be divided between two charities – Direct Relief International providing medical supplies to the earthquake and tsunami victims and Habitat for Humanity helping to rebuild the communities in northern Japan. Sep up as a long-term project, the initiative had a good response, claiming that hundreds of print editions have been donated and counting.
The initiative has inspired a number of galleries around the world to follow the example. Following the example of Jennifer Schwartz Gallery in Atlanta, GA, who hosted an online Silent Auction last Saturday, Thumbprint Gallery in San Diego will repeat the event on the 26 March. The online auction will run from 1 to 5pm, bidding taking place from 2:30 to 3:30pm EST, inviting the global community to purchase original artwork, limited edition photographic prints, hand crafted jewelry and art supplies in support of Japan.
Eyestorm has set up Just Giving web page as a platform for making donations to charities of your choice. Furthermore, the organization has teamed up with artist Marco Bettoni, who has donated prints from his Tokyo Lights, Tokyo Nocturne and Sky Drawing Koinobori series. The prints range in size from 30×30 to 70×70 cm and price between £459 and £1045, the profit going to the Japan Tsunami Relief Fund.
Japanese Society has found the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund to help victims of the Tohoku earthquake. It also set up a benefit edition of Imperial Palace Gardens with Wall, Tokyo by LA-based Emily Shur, who has been traveling and documenting the life in Japan since 2004. The limited editions range from 10 to 500 depending on the size, prices starting from $20 for 8×10 inch signed print, donating 100% of the profit to the fund.
A number of photographers worldwide have followed the initiative, offering all or part of the profit from sales of their artwork in support of earthquake and tsunami victims. Japanese photographer Yasuteru Kasano has announced that he will donate money raised from sales of all of his books and a single print titled Walking to Japan Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami through Japanese Red Cross Society.
Frenchman Baptiste Lignel is also offering all the proceeds from the sales of a limited edition 20×30 cm Ice Cream. Tsunami prints to the French office of “Médecins sans frontières” (Doctors without borders).
The global community is eager to make their contribution to the good cause, thus an open Flickr group has been set up for the purpose. Members are encouraged to submit an artwork for the online auction, deciding on the size and type of print. Photographers will be responsible for covering the production and postage costs and the money raised in an online bid will go to one of the official charities to support victims of the recent tragic events in Japan.
Written for the BJP.
I will have a show in Tokyo at the Toki no Wasuremono Gallery this May. 100% of my proceeds will be donated to the victims of the Tohoku area disaster. I am also participating in the Life Support Japan auction mentioned above and plan still further donations elsewhere. The events in Japan were and are of such a monumental scale that all the world must turn to help. For once let us wage the opposite of war!
Thank you very much for your comment and all the activities your are doing in support of people of Japan. It’s a great initiative – best luck!