Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2012

Karuizawa in the Nagano highlands is known as a summer playground for the rich and famous. But during the Second World War, it served as an evacuation center for interned foreign nationals. Photographer Tom Haar spent his early childhood there, where he endured meager rations and freezing temperatures. “Karuizawa Dreamscape” looks at the resort town’s past and present, and ponders Karuizawa’s ambiguous role as a bridge between Japan and other countries. Haar will also present a lecture delving into the research and photographs conducted under a 2008 Fulbright grant, which resulted in the “Karuizawa Dreamscape” exhibition.

Gallery Past Rays, until Sep 28. Lecture: International House of Japan, Sep 7 (listing).