Process Photo History Lesson #002— Iwata Nakayama

Meet Iwata Nakayama, the trailblazing Japanese avant-garde photographer who captured the essence of a bygone era with his lens. Born in Yanagawa, Fukuoka, on August 3, 1895, Nakayama's journey is nothing short of a visual masterpiece.

Starting his photographic odyssey at Tokyo University of the Arts, Nakayama ventured to the bustling streets of New York in 1918, armed with passion and practical skills. His Laquan Studio on 5th Avenue became a haven for stunning portraits, showcasing his knack for the art.

A chance encounter with the vivacious French-Indian dancer Nyota Inoyka lured Nakayama to the artistic haven of Paris in 1926. There, amid the luminaries of Montparnasse, he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Man Ray and Futurist painter Enrico Prampolini. The grit of New York's urbanscapes seamlessly fused with the dreamlike landscapes of his earlier works.

Returning to Japan in 1927, Nakayama became a driving force in avant-garde photography. Co-founding the Ashiya Camera Club, he spearheaded the Japanese New Photography Movement. His manifesto in 1928 declared his commitment to "Pure Art Photography," marking a transformative phase in his approach.

The 1930s brought challenges as Japan leaned towards militarism, advocating for photography as a tool for journalistic reporting. While others shifted focus, Nakayama persisted in his avant-garde expressions. His composite photography techniques, showcased in Kōga magazine, pushed boundaries, creating hallucinogenic scenes defying reality.

Post-war, Nakayama turned his lens to the war-torn Kobe area, but fate dealt a cruel hand. A stroke cut short his post-war endeavors, and he passed away in 1949 at 54. Despite this, Nakayama's legacy endured, with his works finding a home in prestigious collections worldwide.

Today, Nakayama's photographs reside in the Modern Museum of Art in New York, The British Museum in London, and the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, a testament to his enduring impact on the world of avant-garde photography. Step into Nakayama's captivating visual realm, where each frame tells a story of innovation, defiance, and the pursuit of pure artistry.