“It’s interesting to see how much the neighborhood has changed…but it’s a lot of history in the photos, a lot of love and I hope people can see all that and see the love Akito had for Chicago and the residents of Pilsen.” – Oscar Arriola, Curator of Akito Tsuda: Pilsen Days.
WTTW looks at the connections between Japanese photographer Akito Tsuda and the residents of Pilsen, which are made evident in Akito Tsuda: Pilsen Days, an exhibition organized by Chicago Public Library. The show provides a glimpse into life as a Latino in Chicago during the 1990s through photos Akito took during his time as a student at Columbia College Chicago. Since the exhibition opened, Akito has reconnected with many residents who appear in his photos and their families, further solidifying the bonds between them.
“Like Mario said, he said to me, ‘Thank you for watching the neighborhood. Thank you for watching our life.’ What can I say? It’s the biggest happiness I could ever receive.” – Akito Tsuda
Akito Tsuda: Pilsen Days is on view at Harold Washington Library through December 31, 2024.
