WHO/WHAT: The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center will present the Hawai‘i premiere of “TOYO: Behind the Glass Eye,” an exhibition of photographs by the prolific California photographer Toyo Miyatake. An issei from Kagawa Prefecture, he opened Toyo Miyatake Studio in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo district in 1923, but was forced to close it in 1942 as a result of Executive Order 9066. The exhibit juxtaposes selected pre-World War II art photography by Miyatake with his images of life as a Manzanar Relocation Center internee from 1942 to 1945. Miyatake’s photography won critical acclaim, including at the 1926 London International Photography Exhibition. He died in 1979. His eldest son Archie took over the business, which, today, is run by Toyo Miyatake’s grandson, Alan. He will give a talk on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center. On Sunday, Feb. 17, Hirokazu Kosaka, artistic director of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles, will speak at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Morgado Hall.
WHEN/WHERE: The exhibit will run from Feb. 16-June 14, in the NVMC’s Education Center (665 Kahului Beach Rd.) in Kahului.
COST: Both Feb. 16 and Feb. 17 events are free, although reservations are required. Call (808) 244-6862 to reserve your seat.
