The Family of Man returns to Japan

The Centre national de l’audiovisuel (CNA) is proud to present The Family of Man in Japan, marking a new chapter in the history of Edward Steichen’s landmark exhibition and celebrating the longstanding cultural ties between Luxembourg and Japan.

This reduced reproduction of The Family of Man holds particular significance as it coincides with the 150th anniversary of Nikkei, who played a key role in bringing The Family of Man to Japanese audiences during its historic tour after 1955. At that time, the exhibition travelled extensively throughout Japan and became one of the most influential photographic events ever presented in the country, leaving a lasting impact on photographers, curators, and the wider public.

Seventy years later, the return of The Family of Man offers an opportunity not only to revisit a milestone in the history of photography, but also to reflect on its continuing relevance in the contemporary world. The questions at the heart of Steichen’s project, our shared humanity, our differences, our hopes and challenges, remain as important today as they were when the exhibition was first conceived.

As custodian of the only surviving complete version of The Family of Man, permanently installed at Clervaux Castle in Luxembourg and inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, the CNA is committed not only to preserving this exceptional heritage but also to ensuring that it continues to engage new audiences and generate new perspectives.

The new presentation builds upon the spirit that characterised the Japanese reception of The Family of Man in the 1950s by introducing contemporary artistic voices from Luxembourg (Bruno Oliveira, Krystyna Dul, Marc Schroeder, Birgit Ludwig, Cristina Nuñez, Anne Speltz & Nora Börding) and Japan into the exhibition narrative. Rather than seeking to update or replace Steichen’s vision, these works create new points of encounter between past and present. The exhibition brings the historical photographs into dialogue with contemporary artistic practices from Luxembourg and Japan.

In collaboration with Nikkei Inc., Takashimaya, the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Japan, the Ministry of Culture of Luxembourg, and all participating artists and partners in bringing this project to life.