Children's Photography Exhibition from Earthquake- and Tsunami-Damaged Region of Japan Opens at UNICEF House in New York

NEW YORK, March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Corporation and UNICEF today announced the opening of a special public exhibition of children's photography from the Tohoku region of Japan – specifically, the Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures most directly impacted by the Great East Japan Earthquake nearly one year ago – at UNICEF House, located on East 44th Street between First and Second Avenues in Manhattan.

The photos, which tell a remarkable story of devastation, unity and, ultimately, hope, from the perspective of the children who survived the tragedies, are the result of an ongoing collaboration called EYE SEE between UNICEF and Sony dating back to 2006. Each year, as part of the EYE SEE program, a professional photographer conducts a series of digital photography workshops among children who are experiencing hardship in a particular part of the world, with the goal of helping them document their circumstances and tell their heart-wrenching, yet, inspirational stories to others through the images they capture.

"We are so pleased to work with UNICEF on such an important initiative, and to give these children a voice by equipping them with our cameras and teaching them just how powerful a form of expression digital photography can be," said Hidemi Tomita, General Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Sony Corporation.

Twenty-seven children ranging in age from eight to 15 participated in the EYE SEE TOHOKU workshops, which were conducted in November 2011 by Italian photographer and sociologist Giacomo Pirozzi.  Mr. Pirozzi has worked with UNICEF for more than 20 years as a professional photographer and has devoted a significant portion of his career to conducting photography workshops for children in poverty or faced with other difficulties to help aid the healing process. 

With guidance from Mr. Pirozzi, children learned the characteristics of a digital camera and how to use it as a tool before going out into the field to photograph the stories they wished to express. As part of the experience, they also interviewed their subjects, discussed the images they captured, and shared their experiences with one another.

"The children of Japan showed so much interest, so much passion, and so much willingness to learn photography," said Mr. Pirozzi.  "Any child faced with this level of stress has gone through so much.  I am honored to help give them the opportunity to use photography to reflect on what happened to them."

Images from EYE SEE TOHOKU will remain on view at UNICEF House through the end of May.  For more information, visit www.sony.net/eyesee or www.unicef.org/photography/photo_essays_childsview.php.

About Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications, and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Its motion picture, television, computer entertainment, music and online businesses make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment and technology companies in the world.  Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $87 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, and it employs 168,200 people worldwide.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit www.unicef.org, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

SOURCE Sony Corporation of America