JCC E-Magazine April 2017

During the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony of Vestiges of their Hearts, a photography exhibition on Japan's Tohoku region by Mr Jorel Chan, was held at JCC (Japan Creative Centre) on the evening of Friday, 10th March 2017. Mr Jorel Chan is the recipient of MEXT Scholarship from the Government of Japan, who is currently pursuing his Masters in International Relations at Waseda University.

A total of about 50 guests, including members of photographic societies, humanitarian groups and Japanese-related organisations in Singapore graced the occasion, which was also part of a commemorative event to mark the 6th anniversary of the 3.11 Great East Japan Earthquake.

The exhibition, which is supported by JUGAS (Japanese University Graduates Association of Singapore) and RJIF (Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation), showcased a series of carefully curated photographs taken by Mr Jorel Chan, who embarked on a mission to the Tohoku region in Japan during the summer of 2014, with the aim of charting the humanitarian progress made in the various cities and towns hit by the 3.11 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Mr Jorel Chan with guests at the opening ceremony.

Guests viewing the exhibition at the opening ceremony.

The project started when Mr Jorel Chan and his friend volunteered with local relief groups during the mission and interacted with local refugees and residents. They realised that it was not only the infrastructure which had to be rebuilt, but the communities as well. During his welcome remarks at the opening ceremony, he expressed his hope to share the stories and daily lives of the refugees and residents living in these communities, and to portray a sense of hope and the celebration of life through his photographs, shedding light upon the vicissitudes from grief to hope that the people at Tohoku strive through – undeniably human experiences that we can empathise with and draw strength from as we continue to better serve the community around us.

H.E. Ambassador Kenji Shinoda and Deputy Chief of Mission, JCC Acting Director Mr Naohiro Tsutsumi also visited the exhibition before it was opened to the public. Both had a guided tour by Mr Jorel Chan, where he shared about his journey, as well as the sense of hope and the celebration of life that he wishes to portray through the photographs.

H.E. Ambassador Kenji Shinoda and Deputy Chief of Mission, JCC Acting Director Mr Naohiro Tsutsumi with Mr Jorel Chan.

Guests at the opening ceremony.		Mr Jorel Chan, artist of the exhibition, speaking at the opening ceremony.
Mr Jorel Chan with guests at the opening ceremony.		Mr Jorel Chan with guests at the opening ceremony.
Guests viewing the exhibition at the opening ceremony.		Guests viewing the exhibition at the opening ceremony.
Guests viewing the exhibition at the opening ceremony.		Guests viewing the exhibition at the opening ceremony.
Guests viewing the exhibition at the opening ceremony.		H.E. Ambassador Kenji Shinoda and Deputy Chief of Mission, JCC Acting Director Mr Naohiro Tsutsumi visiting the exhibition with Mr Jorel Chan.
H.E. Ambassador Kenji Shinoda and Deputy Chief of Mission, JCC Acting Director Mr Naohiro Tsutsumi visiting the exhibition with Mr Jorel Chan.		H.E. Ambassador Kenji Shinoda with Mr Jorel Chan.

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