Collaborative Exhibition with Keio Plaza Hotel

From February 1 to 8, 2026, the “Washi Photo Art Exhibition in Tokyo” (organized by International Fine Art Photography Association) was held at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The exhibition featured photographic works by seven artists printed on washi, a traditional Japanese paper, and served as an innovative experiment in photographic display that made full use of the hotel’s unique spaces.

Approximately 105 works were displayed across multiple spaces on the 3rd floor of the Keio Plaza Hotel Main Building, including the lobby, lounge, and gallery. By selecting works that complemented the atmosphere of each space, we sought to create a new viewing experience where photography and the environment became one, allowing guests and visitors to naturally encounter the artworks as they moved through the hotel.

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International Fine Art Photography Association (IFAPA), a general incorporated association, was established in 2022 primarily by members who had previously exhibited their work in museums across Russia, with the aim of promoting the appeal of Japanese culture both domestically and internationally through the art of photography. Since then, the association has focused on the potential of “Washi Photography”—a fusion of traditional Japanese washi paper and photographic expression—and has been working to popularize and develop this art form.

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For this exhibition, I was responsible for the overall production—not only the display of the works but also the planning, meetings with the Keio Plaza Hotel, exhibition layout, and spatial direction. I designed the exhibition with the awareness that, before being photographs, the works must be art that complements the hotel, and that the display should offer a sense of high-quality cohesion for visitors from around the world.

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During the exhibition period, we welcomed many visitors who showed great interest in the unique expressive qualities of Washi Photography. The exhibited works spanned a wide range of subjects, including natural landscapes, urban scenes, animals, birds, plants, Noh theater, and railways. However, the soft texture and light expression unique to photographs printed on washi paper brought a calm, unified atmosphere to the venue. As an exhibition that allowed visitors to naturally engage with the art, it received a great deal of positive feedback.

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While the possibilities of photographic expression continue to expand with advances in digital technology, there is also a growing interest in multidimensional expressions, such as the texture and cultural background of the materials used in the works. In this context, we believe that the combination of washi—a traditional Japanese material—and contemporary photography is not only highly durable but also a key element in significantly broadening the possibilities of photographic expression.

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Moving forward, our association intends to continue promoting these uniquely Japanese photographic works and culture, while remaining committed to selling them both domestically and internationally, as we pursue the potential of photography within the realm of art.​​

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Osamu Hayashi (Representative Director, International Fine Art Photography Association