Voices from Japan: Perspectives on Disaster and Hope is an exhibition and cultural exchange project that shares the extraordinary experience of the Japanese people following the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown of March 11, 2011.

The exhibition has been assembled by Isao Tsujimoto, Studio for Cultural Exchange, with the cooperation of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.

The Colorado College exhibit aims not only to present the tragedies of 2011, but begin to look at them in new ways. Multiple forms of media are included. This underscores the many different ways to channel emotions after a disaster and move towards connecting with other people.

Voices from Japan has been exhibited previously in New York and San Francisco. Running through March 16th is another "Voices from Japan" exhibit at the American School in Japan, Mitaka, Tokyo.

VOICES FROM JAPAN: Perspectives on Disaster showcases:

Poems of Survival

A collection of tanka poems, written by ordinary Japanese people in response to the disasters of March 2011, profoundly reveals the hearts of individuals facing great loss.

One hundred poems, originally published in the Asashi Shimbun newspaper, have been selected and translated into English for this project; thirty-one of them are on display. All the poems are presented as an anthology in the exhibition's catalogue booklet.

These poems were translated by three American experts: Laurel R. Rodd, Professor of University of Colorado, Amy V. Heinrich, former Director of C.V. Starr East Asian Library at Columbia University and Joan E. Ericson, Professor of Colorado College.

Collage of Damaged Photographs

Photographers and photo restorers Yoshihito and Saori Sasaguchi composed painfully unforgettable collages of damaged family photographs. The Sasaguchis and members of Photo Kizuna Project have been working to preserve and restore the photos damaged by the disaster.

Images and Video from Tohoku

Tragic but beautiful new photos by New York photographer Magdalena Solé sensitively portray the affected Tohoku region.

Video Producer Joseph Krakora also contributes his recent video based on the concept of Voices from Japan. This moving film introduces Magdalena's photographs and the tanka poems recited in English translation.

Audio

Stations set up around the I.D.E.A Space will bring the messages of the tanka poems even further into life with the opportunity for the poetry to be heard aloud.

Calligraphy

Kanji Chiba from Kesen numa, one of the artists severely affected by the March 2011 disasters, has written three of the poems on hanging scrolls in the traditional style of Japanese calligraphy.

Choreography

The choreography allows an opportunity for Colorado College students of dance to be involved in the recovery process. This choreography will present the Japan 2011 disasters in a new light, using the tanka poems as the background for the performances.

Waldo Canyon Fire Poetry

In the aftermath of the Waldo Canyon Fire, there is a sense of connection between Japan's disasters and the Waldo Canyon Fire. The annex of the I.D.E.A. Space will feature poetry, photography and a wall hanging from victims of the recent Colorado Springs fire, courtesy of Colorado Springs Together.

Crane Making

Also featured in the annex of the I.D.E.A. Space will be a station dedicated to learning how to fold paper cranes. As a symbol of hope, these folded cranes will be sent as a gift from the citizens of Colorado Springs to one of the disaster sites in Northeastern Japan.