The first known use of the term “documentary” was by a critic in a review of the 1926 film Moana by American documentary filmmaker Robert J. Flaherty. Before that, the French word “documentaire” had been used to mean “travelogue film.” Documentary has since become a well-established film and television genre. This exhibition examines the theme of documents and documentary by focusing on the act of recording facts by way of photography and moving images. In the 2nd floor exhibition gallery, the theme is explored in depth through the key words of body, time, and performance.

Bodily performances and acts that explore time stand in opposition to the act of recording, and thereby bring reality and the present into sharp focus. The exhibition highlights critical perspectives involving the body and performance: Thai artist Kawita Vatanajyankur employs her own body to explore issues of women’s labor and consumer society, Priyageetha Dia’s distinctive form of visual expression reconsiders the history of labor in Southeast Asia, and the archives of Ito Tari showcase this lesbian and feminist activist’s efforts to advance the rights of sexual minorities.

At the same time, the medium of moving images can also be thought of as image-based performance, in which an impression of movement is achieved by displaying a series of still images in rapid succession. This aspect is explored by artists including Furukawa Taku, whose investigation of the principles of animation is highlighted by way of his phenakistoscopes (odorokiban); Tsunoda Toshiya, who brings about organic spaces of imagery by linking his sculptural thinking with photography and moving images; and Hayashi Yuki, who creates videos by piecing together masses of his own photographs. Also on display is Box of Time, a photographic work by film director Apichatpong Weerasethakul that seeks to connect with the essence of time in moving images.