Ephemere Events
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Ephemere Events •
Photography as a Partner to Poetry with Zoria Petkoska • Artist Talk at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
We're honored to welcome writer, editor, and visual poet Zoria Petkoska for an insightful talk as part of our Special Programs. Zoria holds a master's degree in literature and is a visual poetry researcher whose work has been featured in exhibitions and publications, including her notable books Dystokyo and Zborigami. She is also the culture features editor at The Japan Times and an editor at Tokyo Poetry Journal.
In her talk, Photography as a Partner to Poetry, Zoria will share how she has always sought to combine the textual and the visual in her work. She will explore the evolution of the poetic tradition of haiga and its relevance to modern artists who partner photography with poetry, calligraphy, and collage.
Drawing from her research and personal collaborations, Zoria will share a myriad of expressions and ways to partner photography and poetry, providing a deeper understanding of how these two art forms can enrich and inform each other's practice. This talk is intended for photographers, writers, and anyone interested in how image and text can create new forms of cultural expression and engagement.
📅 October 12, Sunday, 15:00-16:00
♦️ Language: English
🎟️ Entrance: Free
Expressing Zen Through Visual Media with Glen Snyder • Artist Talk at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
© Glen Snyder
We're honored to welcome Zen priest and photographer Glen (Isshin) Snyder for an insightful talk as part of our Special Programs. Ordained as a Zen priest in Texas, Glen has spent over a decade living in Japan, where his photography explores the underbelly of Zen in everyday life, often challenging conventional views of "Zen qualities" in nature and art.
In his 90-minute discussion, "Expressing Zen Through Visual Media," Glen will highlight the profound influence of Zen in photographic art. He will draw on ancient Buddhist scriptures to discuss concepts such as the relationship between an image and the true nature of an object, and how light and darkness bring about experience.
The talk will be followed by a half-hour photo walk around the Shibuya area, and a 15-minute meditation session will be held at the beginning of the talk.
This talk is open to all, regardless of language ability or experience in either Zen or photography. It's an opportunity to explore the unique parallels between Zen meditation as a practice and photography as a practice, and to learn how to infuse your work with a deeper sense of presence and purpose.
📅 October 12, Sunday, 11:00-12:30
♦️ Language: English
🎟️ Entrance: Free
Chiara Salvi • Workshop, Photobook Launch, and Artist Talk at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
We're honored to welcome process-led artist, curator, and educator Chiara Salvi as a featured artist at our first-ever festival. As the founder of Alternative Processes, she brings a unique vision that is a cornerstone of our Special Programs. Chiara’s three-part contribution to EPF offers a deep dive into the tangible medium of photography.
The Programs:
Workshop: Chiara will lead a workshop titled, Lifting Polaroids, where participants will learn to transfer instant photo emulsions onto new surfaces, embracing unpredictability in their creative process.
Photobook Launch: She will launch the group publication, Eroding Forms, a collaboration with Ephemere that explores photography as a living, transitional practice.
Artist Talk: In her talk, Alternative Processes and Eroding Forms, Chiara will share insights into how sustainability, materiality, and imperfection guide creation, reimagining photography as a slow, process-led art that values transformation over control.
On Building Community Through Photography with Macy Castañeda Lee (Worlds Through Minds) • Artist Talk at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
We are honored to welcome photographer, curator, and community organizer Macy Castañeda Lee for an insightful talk. Macy is the founder of Worlds Through Minds, an NYC-based photo gallery and publication house, and a Philippine-based non-profit, Talang Dalisay. Their work focuses on advocating for mental health, social justice, and education.
In their talk, On Building Community Through Photography, Macy will share their experiences as a community organizer in NYC and beyond. They will explore how curation as an art form can strengthen visual literacy through sequencing, composition, and seeing light. The talk will include a short presentation and physical prints, offering attendees a unique look into their process of building communities and creating art.
This talk is perfect for photographers, curators, publishers, and community organizers interested in how curation and digital tools can strengthen cultural engagement and foster new communities.
📅 October 11, Saturday
⏰ 11:30-12:30
♦️ Language: English
🎟️ Entrance: Free
Community: A New Way to Discover Photo Exhibitions in Tokyo — with Dmitry Rambovskiy • Artist Talk at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
We are thrilled to present an insightful artist talk by photographer and developer, Dmitry Rambovskiy. Dmitry is the creator of Community, a free iPhone application that brings together all of Tokyo's photo exhibitions in one intuitive platform. With a strong focus on urban and street photography, Dmitry works at the intersection of art and technology, bridging the perspectives of artists, audiences, and cultural organizers.
In his talk, "Community: A New Way to Discover Photo Exhibitions in Tokyo," Dmitry will share his journey of building the app from the ground up, from his first encounters with Tokyo’s gallery scene to designing its visual identity. He will explain how digital tools can strengthen cultural engagement, and how the app's design reflects deeper ideas like mono no aware and ephemerality.
The talk will include a live demonstration of the Community app, showcasing its interactive map of over 80 galleries, a personal calendar for planning visits, and social features. Dmitry will also share how technology can create a warm sense of community around photographic art and invite attendees to share feedback on expanding the platform.
This talk is perfect for photographers, curators, students, cultural organizers, and technology enthusiasts who are curious about how mobile applications can shape cultural experiences and foster new communities.
📅 October 5, Sunday
⏰ 15:00-16:00
♦️ Language: English
🎟️ Entrance: Free
The Printing of Ephemere Photo Journal at Kyoto Shimbun Printing • Artist Talk at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
In this talk, Yoshihiko Okazaki and Hanako Hayashi of Kyoto Shimbun Printing provide an insight into the making of the Ephemere Photo Journal.
Through a video, they will present the printing process — from data checks and color proofing to the final newspaper presentation — illuminating how this long-established medium can be reimagined in innovative ways within contemporary creative practice.
📍 Gallery Conceal Shibuya
📅 October 05, Sunday, 13:00-14:00
🎟️ Entrance: Free
Ephemere Photo Journal – Volume 1 Launch
Introducing the inaugural print issue of the Ephemere Photo Journal, a landmark publication featuring exclusive articles, special features, and selected photo essays.
Designed by renowned artist Wuthipol Ujathammarat and brought to life in cooperation with the esteemed Kyoto Shimbun Printing, EPJ will serve as a new cornerstone for our community.
Publisher: Anne Murayama
Managing Editor: Khanjan Purohit
I/Land – Presented by Fotomoto (Philippines) • Slideshow at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
This slideshow, curated by the FotomotoPH team, explores the complex and contradictory nature of the Filipino experience. Through a collection of photographs, I/Land delves into how the fleeting and the enduring—the land and the water, unity and division, faith and despair—are woven into the fabric of archipelagic life.
Featured Photographers
A.g De Mesa, Aeson Baldevia, Anton Baello, Artu Nepomuceno, Carina Altomonte, Carmen del Prado, Christian Babista, Christopher Salvador, Demie, Edmar Pineda, Edward Balmores, Effy Calingao, Fourth Barleta, Francisco Guerrero, Gelo Arboleda, Gio Panlilio, Hersley Casero, Jan Mayo, Jason Apolonio, Jason Quibilan, Javion, Jay Melliza, Jethro, Johann Guasch, Jojo Mamangun, Jyll Bitalac, Ken Guanzon, Marco Ugoy, MM Yu, Neal Oshima, Niko Francisco, Paul Quiambao, Raena Abella, Ricky Ladia, Sandra Dans, Sherry Quiambao, Stephanie Frondoso, Susan Larsson, Tin Dominguez, Toto Lozano, Veejay Villafranca, Zig Mirasol
© Jan Mayo, Carmen Del Prado, Gio Panlilio, Hersley Casero, Stephanie Frondoso
FotomotoPH is an organization of visionary photographers, artists, curators, and writers dedicated to promoting Philippine photography through a regular cycle of exhibitions, public programs, and special projects with art spaces throughout the archipelago. FotomotoPH involves a cross-section of the community and encourages participation, appreciation, and collectorship.
𝑬𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝑭𝒆𝒔𝒕
📍 Gallery Conceal Shibuya
📅 October 01-12, 11:00-20:00
🎟️ Entrance: Free
The Duality of Ephemerality and Permanence • Group Exhibition at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
This special photography show is a celebration of our Open Calls this year, combining submissions from Ephemerality through photo essays and Permanence through single images, along with a selection of work from Duality through diptychs.
Featured Photographers:
Aakash Prithviraj Rai • Ada Marino • Adrianna MJW • Aia Solis • Aji Susanto Anom • Akil Tircuit • Alessio Roberto • Alex Alonso • Ana Villarrubia • Anca Pandrea • Andie Riekstina • Andrei Barbos • Andrew McClees • Andrew Tsang • Angel Li • Angelo Greco • Anil Purohit • Anna Rosa Krau • Anne Laure Gueret • Anne Milne • Annemarie Deckers • Anthony Bockheim • Antoan Graham • Anton Bou • Antonino Cuccia • Aram Tanis • Artin Zonouzi • Artur Leão • Arvella Emmanuel Vincent • Avery Edelman • Betty Goh • Björn Nilsson • Brian Hodges • Cameron McLeod • Carla Artero • Caroline Koning • Carsten Horn • Claudia Fuggetti • Colin Ward • Constanza Isaza Martinez • Cristóbal Cerda • Daniel Von • David Barker • Dea Khalvashi • Derek Hayes • Dominic Ashton • Duo Han Longbow • Dustin Keirns • Edyta Kopcio • Eijiro Hamada • Elena Serafimova • Eliana Carvidón • Elisabeth Dubrovsky • Elmira Katasova • Emily Hansell • Erica Wheadon • Ester Fratucello • Eva Berler • Ezra Petry • Francesco Topino • Francisco Ortega • Fred Cigno • Fred Johnsson • Gaia Credentino • Gaurav Arora • Gema Ganeswara • Georgiana Feidi • Ghia Deng • Gildasio Filho • Giulia Coppetti • Glen Snyder • Glenn Villarama • Gwilen Grace • Hannah Hernø-Toftild • Henrique Matos • Iben Van Damme • Iris Hu • Isabelle Bourdeauducq • Jamie Png • Jaume Llorens Bach • Jennifer Baron • Jeremy Franchi • Jill Corral • Jitka Ertelová • Joe Westley • Jorge Fabián Castillo • José Herrera • Juan Luis Salazar • Julián Péter • Justin Schug • Karthik Krishnaswamy • Katerina Vasilas • Katherine Mendoza • Kelly Rosa • Keon Wong • Kevin Baylon • Kevin Estandian • Khanjan Purohit • Kinga Owczennikow • Kozue Maruyama • Krongrat Jindapol • Kseniya Gorbanova • Kym Renay • Kyumin Kim • Lara Gilks • Laurent Barrera • Loredana Denicola • Lucas Pacifico • Ludovic Viévard • Luyang Gan • Lynn Silverman • Lynne Breitfeller • Maria Castro • Maria Fernanda Hubeaut • Maria Vittoria Rulli • Mariela Soldano • Mariia Shekhireva • Marina Dego • Mário Pires • Martin Miklas • Matias Biglieri • Maud Evrard • Mauricio Beraud • May Qin Chua • Maya Fonseca • Megan O • Melanie Schoeniger • Michaela Knizova • Michelle Ann • Milvia Stefani • Mohsen Hadj • Natalia Filatova • Natalia Rudychev • Natalie Karpushenko • Nica Aquino • Nickie Vertigan • Nivard Thoes • Noor Datis • Norbi Whitney • Olena Lemberska • Oliver Kuehnel • Oliver McCarthy • Oliver Raschka • Pann Manasopon • Pasha Febrian • Patrice Go • Pauline Jaffuel Raji • Peng-Wen Lin • Per-Olof Stoltz • Philipp Zechner • Pierinna Olivas • Qiyue Li • Radiz Sutthisoontorn • Raquel Trejo • Rod Sot • Ronald Butler • Ryley Clarke • Sam Evans • Sar Bombay • Sarah Garland • Sebastian Sighell • Sky Stevens • Sonja Prillere • Sophie Polyviou • Spyros Chalikias • Susan White • Susana Aparicio Lardiés • Susann Carmen Jagodzińska • Susanne Bartels • Susanne Willuhn • Sylvain Holtermann • Tamta Gokadze • Terra Kitoko • Thitipong Sansanayuth • Tiange Xiang • Tirta Winata • Tomas Zukovskij • Tyler Henson • Tyler Henthorn • Uffe Raupach Jensen • Valentina Baldelli • Vincent Karcher • Viviana Bonura • Willie Koh • Xavier Rony • Yasu Matsumoto • Zach Litzgus
Lead Curator: Anne Murayama
Assistant Curators: Kseniya Gorbanova and Andrei Barbos
Technical Advisor: Glen Snyder
Paula Rae Gibson • Slideshow, Photobook Launch, and Artist Talk at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
© Paula Rae Gibson
We're honored to welcome London-based photographer Paula Rae Gibson as a featured artist at the Ephemere Photo Fest. A self-taught photographer whose intensely personal work has been exhibited and awarded internationally, Paula's presence is a cornerstone of our Core Programs. Her three-part contribution to the EPF is a deeply personal and moving tribute to her late best friend.
Photobook Launch and Artist Talk: Paula will launch her latest limited-edition photo book by Ephemere, Remember When I Told You Everything, a tribute to her best friend, Sue. In her talk, Paula will delve into the making of this project, exploring themes of longing, introspection, and the kind of love that allows you to be more of yourself in another's presence.
📅 October 4, Saturday, 12:00-13:00
🎟️ Entrance: Free
Slideshow: Accompanying the book launch is a short film which combines intimate images, music, and memory to give a profound sense of their friendship.
📅 October 01–12, 11:00-20:00
🎟️ Entrance: Free
Jordan Reyes • Solo Exhibition, Photobook Launch, Workshop, and Artist Talk at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
We're honored to welcome Paris-based American artist Jordan Reyes, as our main visiting artist for the inaugural Ephemere Photo Fest. His unique voice is a cornerstone of our Core Programs. Jordan's four-part contribution to EPF offers a powerful and deeply personal exploration of the modern condition.
The Programs:
Solo Exhibition: Jordan's debut exhibition, To Make A Photography Exhibition From Scratch You Must First Invent The Universe, uses mixed media to wrestle with themes of untethering and the isolation of being a foreigner.
Photobook Launches: He will launch two new photobooks with Ephemere: The Only Dog I Hate and I’ll See You In The Branches. Both books are designed by Lee Tesche.
Workshop: He will lead a three-day intensive workshop, I Photograph What I Want To See, guiding students to hone a personal and sustainable photographic methodology.
Artist Talk: In his talk, Most People Are Winging It, And I’m Most People, Too, Jordan will detail his journeys in writing, music, and photography. He'll explore how becoming your best teacher and trusting your own intuition, rather than seeking external guidance, leads to a sustainable artistic practice.
Dispatches from the Region – Presented by Objectifs (Singapore) • Slideshows at the Ephemere Photo Fest 2025
This slideshow, curated by Chelsea Chua and Lim Ming Rui of Objectifs (Singapore), gives a glimpse into the issues and modes of image-making that preoccupy artists in Southeast Asia today. Featuring recent projects by five past recipients of the Objectifs Documentary Award, it offers a vital window into contemporary photography from the region.
Total Runtime: 26mins 35 secs
Featured Artists
Kaleb Sitompul – To Bless the Motherland (2025) (10:01min)
Project Statement
The Natinggir Forest Indigenous Community, a Batak tribe in North Sumatra, has lived in harmony with their land for over 300 years. Facing threats from industrial eucalyptus plantations, they resist through land restoration and advocacy, striving to protect their ancestral forest, culture, and livelihoods for future generations.
Artist Bio
Kaleb Sitompul is a visual storyteller from Indonesia working in film and photography. He studied filmmaking at the Jakarta Institute of Arts and honed his narrative approach with Pannafoto Institute and VII Academy. Since 2021, his work has focused on stories and social issues beyond Java’s urban centers. He received the Objectifs Documentary Award (Emerging) in 2023.
© Kaleb Sitompul
Mai Nguyên Anh – The Patriot Playbook (4:57min)
Project Statement
This project traces Ho Chi Minh monuments amid controversies and state investments. Driven by curiosity about rising nationalism versus grassroots sentiments, I travelled across the country to capture moments, blending propaganda with personal encounters. The work maps an evolving political/cultural identity, but also reveals love for a country beyond ideology.
Artist Bio
Mai Nguyên Anh is a Vietnamese artist whose work blends observational and poetic documentary approaches to explore personal and social paradoxes. As curator of PhotoHanoi and co-founder of Matca, he deepens his practice by creating spaces that invite reflection, spark creative dialogue, and contribute to the evolving landscape of contemporary photography in Vietnam. Mai received the Objectifs Documentary Award (Open) in 2018.
© Mai Nguyên Anh
Lê Nguyên Phương - Giao Điểm (Intersection) (3:20min)
Project Statement
Giao Điểm was made in eight days in 2024, during a trip to Siem Reap with my father. He spent four days with me before leaving back to Vietnam for his work. A day later, my lover came to visit me without him knowing. The work explores my father's story, and the secrets within.
Artist Bio
Lê Nguyên Phương (or Phuong Nguyen Le in Western naming convention) (b. 2002, Ha Noi) is an emerging Vietnamese photographer, artist, and researcher. His works focus on themes of collective identity, community, and family in the aftermath of the American War in Vietnam. Phương received the Objectifs Documentary Award (Emerging) in 2023.
© Lê Nguyên Phương
Sarah Isabelle Tan - Do you remember the colour of the sky that day (II) (5:01min)
Project Statement
Do you remember the colour of the sky that day (II) is an encounter with images composed of Super 8 footage and damaged negatives shot and collected over five years. Scratches, stains, and chemical traces reveal distortion rather than clarity, embracing fragments of memory suspended between visibility and loss. I narrate parts of imagined and real stories, mirroring my broader practice of exploring how presence delicately persists at thresholds of visibility, and is revealed in the act of holding, carrying, sustaining.
Artist Bio
Sarah Isabelle Tan is an artist and researcher based between London and Singapore. Her practice engages with writing and a post-medium framework that approaches the image not as representation, but through material sensitivity and embodied processes. She is currently undertaking a Masters of Research at the Royal College of Art, and was a recipient of the Objectifs Documentary Award in 2020 (Emerging).
© Sarah Isabelle Tan
Shwe Wutt Hmon - When The Curtain Falls (3:14min)
Project Statement
When The Curtain Falls is about finding and building connections between myself, photo studio spaces that I love so much, and the people who protect these memorable places, as a way to counter my fear that these photo studios will soon vanish in a not-so-distant-future.
Artist Bio
Shwe Wutt Hmon is a photographer and mixed media artist from Myanmar, currently based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Shwe’s work focuses on collective histories, familial ties, relationships, and exploring the inner psyche through intimate storytelling about people and places dear to her heart. She received the Objectifs Documentary Award (Open) in 2020.
© Shwe Wutt Hmon
𝑬𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝑭𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
📍 Gallery Conceal Shibuya
📅 October 01–12
🎟️ Entrance: Free
Dispatches from the Region will be introduced by Chelsea Chua on Sunday, October 5, from 11:00 to 12:00.
Ephemere Exhibitions
We organize exhibitions to feature diverse photographic voices and perspectives, often showcasing photographers who haven’t yet had the opportunity to present their work. Our thoughtful curation creates a welcoming space where images and stories can engage viewers. Each exhibition serves as a platform for both emerging and established artists.
Our exhibitions prioritize visual literacy, encouraging visitors to engage with photography meaningfully. Various narratives and styles are showcased, emphasizing the richness and complexity of visual storytelling. By providing a platform for a wide range of photographers, the exhibitions broaden the scope of perspectives shared with the audience.
We offer valuable exposure within Tokyo’s creative community. Our platform provides a curated, immersive setting that highlights each artist's work and invites deeper connections. Each project receives personal attention, supporting photographers in expanding their audience while growing the platform's reach.
Friends of Ephemere
These are the photos of some of the many wonderful people who have graced our humble space with their presence — exhibitors, curators, guests, and friends. Some of these photos were taken during art events that we have participated in. We are grateful for your warm support!
Andrew McClees
Oliver Woodall
Katsuhiro Meguro and friends
Andrian Legaspi
Chiaki Suzuki
Paradise
Familiar Strangers
Lisa Suzuki
Lyndon Johnson
Shado Photographers
Kiki Zou
Crazy Family
Renaud Castaing while working
Sha Kastayev and his friends
Aira Shimizu and Glen Snyder
Emma Koretz
Mr and Mrs Nakashima
Glen Snyder and his model, Maya
Marci Lindsay
Kosuke Ikeya
Anarchyº1
Emma Koretz
Trey Derbes
Ren and Katsu
Ivan Perek
Betty Goh
The Amador Sisters
Katsuhiro Meguro and friends
Karl Neubert
Jesse Freeman
Jordi and Miyuki
