Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2009

Ruud Van Empel, World 31, 2008
Courtesy of Gallery Terra Tokyo

In the wake of the large-scale Tokyo Art Fair comes what is being billed as Japan’s first event devoted to premium photo art. Tokyo Photo 2009 is, like TAF, an attempt to invigorate the art photo market, with the participation of influential Japanese galleries like Tomio Koyama and sales of works by high-profile lensmen such as Helmet Newton, Mika Ninagawa and Annie Leibovitz. (Ms Leibovitz, who was recently sued for $24 million, could probably use the cash.) The show includes a special exhibition dubbed “Photo America” that showcases historical pieces from the collection of the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego. Lectures and seminars are also planned on topics like collecting and the worldwide photo market.

Bellesalle Roppongi, Sep 4-6. See expo listings for details.