KIZUNA

The Osaka Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI), the Japan America Society of Chicago (JASC) and the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago are proud to present 絆 Kizuna 2: The Bonds of Emotion, the second phase of a multidimensional photography exhibit of the March 11, 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and ongoing recovery efforts. The first phase, 絆 Kizuna, was successfully showcased in various parts of Chicago last year. 

 

This special photo exhibition, curated by Jamason Chen and honorarily co-chaired by Governor Pat Quinn, State of Illinois, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, City of Chicago, is made up of three parts. “Memory: The Things We Should Never Forget” showcases photographs of the current state of the earthquake and tsunami zones from the Nikkei collection. “Voice from Japan” displays photographs taken by people on the ground in Japan of their everyday lives during the recovery process. “Chicago Connections” highlights the connection of Chicagoans to the earthquake and tsunami via portraits and personal accounts. 

 

These selections vividly illustrate the human element of this tragedy, along with the optimism and resilience of the affected Japanese citizens as they courageously struggle to rebuild their lives. Through the “Chicago Connections” it is shown that the people of Chicago have not forgotten them, and that the bond between Chicago and Japan remains stronger than ever. 

 

The exhibition’s title, 絆 Kizuna 2: The Bonds of Emotion, uses the Japanese character for 絆 Kizuna to express the bonds of caring and the outreach from every end of the globe to help the Japanese people survive and recover from the unspeakable damage they have endured. 

 

Made possible through the generous cooperation of Nikkei Inc. 

Dedicated to Nikkei’s Collection - Memory: Things We Should Never Forget

 

Special thanks to: Chicago Sister Cities International, Japan America Society of Chicago and Consulate General of Japan at Chicago

 

And kind thanks to these sponsors: Barnes & Thornburg LLP | Calumet Photographic | Chicago Kalbi | Chicago Photography Collective | City of Chicago Mayor’s Office | City of Osaka | Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago | Grant Thornton LLP | Hana to Yoko Florist | Hekiun Oda | Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago | JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) Chicago | Lakeview Art Supply | Loyola University Chicago School of Communication | Matsutani America Inc. | Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. | Mayumi Lake | Mizuho Corporate Bank, LTD. | M Square, Inc. | Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal U.S.A., Inc. | OMRON | State of Illinois Governor’s Office 

 

Everyone involved with making this photo exhibition possible also wishes to express grateful thanks to the people of Chicago, who, through their generous works and contributions, forged bonds of emotion with the Japanese people whose lives were forever changed by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. This, too, will never be forgotten.