In March of 2022, graduate student Hannah Slater received a Arts and Humanities Graduate Research Small Grant from the College of Arts and Sciences along with Cathleen M. Murnane Travel Scholarship funds to travel to Minneapolis and view photographs by Naoya Hatakeyama (b. 1958) in the collection of the Minneapolis Art Museum (MIA). Hatakeyama’s work has played a central role in her dissertation research and spring break was an ideal opportunity to view the works in-person.

The curatorial department arranged the works in the library so that she could also access the library’s collection of books on the artist, many of which were published in Japan and difficult to obtain. Viewing the physical works in a distraction-free environment provided an entirely new viewing experience than how she typically viewed them at home and online. The chance to quietly view and discuss the works was certainly the highlight of the trip. In addition, the knowledgeable curatorial staff in the photography department was extremely kind, generous, and helpful in planning and completing the research trip.

Image caption: Hannah Slater viewing works by photographer Naoya Hatakeyama at the photography department at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis in Minnesota.