New York’s Poster House is showcasing a rare exhibition of posters announcing the Italian release of the film Tokyo Olympiad — revered by many as one of the greatest sports documentaries of all time.
Directed by Kon Ichikawa, Tokyo Olympiad transcended mere documentation of the 1964 Summer Games by offering a humanist vision of the worlds premier sporting event through the eyes of both the competitors and spectators.
Japan was originally chosen to host the Olympics in 1940, but ultimately had to withdraw due to the advent of WWII. As much of the country’s infrastructure was destroyed during the war, the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo allowed Japan a way to reintroduce itself to the world. Ichikawa’s film was masterfully produced — from superb editing and sound recording to the cameramen’s use of telephoto lenses to capture some of the greatest Olympians in history.
Similarly, the posters on view can be viewed as art in its own right by reflecting an exuberant design aesthetic featuring photomontage, neo-Constructivism, and Italian modernism. “Tokyo Olympiad: A Global Film” is curated by Angelina Lippert with exhibition design by Mihoshi Fukushima Clark. The exhibition will be on view at Poster House from April 8 to October 9, 2022.
In related news, David Shrigley will release eight limited edition prints.
Poster House
119 W. 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
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