photo poster project | Breaking Barriers, The Next Step Beyond Social Media by zuushimmy | ISSUE #108

My name is zuushimmy. I live in Tokyo and work as a graphic designer during the week. On weekends, I take snapshots and also create ZINEs as part of my creative activities.

I’ve always loved the gallery at Kitamura Camera Shop in Shinjuku and dreamed of exhibiting my work there someday. When I saw an advertisement for a special exhibition of the , I immediately decided to participate.

The theme was "portraits," which I don’t usually shoot. However, I had recently taken some off-shot photos while shooting a friend’s promotional pictures, and I really liked them. It felt like the perfect timing, almost like fate, so I applied right away.

During gallery talks, I’ve had the chance to hear directly from other exhibitors about the thoughts and emotions behind their works. This has often made me realize perspectives I hadn’t considered before, broadening my creative horizons.

Additionally, I’ve been able to display my ZINEs in the free space at the venue, and receiving feedback from visitors has been an incredibly rewarding experience.

The ease of participation by simply uploading your data is a major appeal. Opportunities to print photos in large A2 sizes are rare, so being able to exhibit your work as a poster is truly valuable.

Moreover, while some photo exhibitions can feel tense or somewhat exclusive, the has a friendly and open atmosphere, thanks to the staff and exhibitors.
It breaks down barriers in a good way, making it easy for first-time participants to join. This openness is one of the unique charms of this project.

The not only allows for easy participation but also fosters new connections through interactions with fellow exhibitors. It’s a great next step beyond social media.

Like ZINE events, simply applying and setting a deadline can push you to complete your work, which can be a great motivator for creation (laughs).