"Hiroshima: Ground Zero 1945," at ICP

Erin Barnett, ICP Assistant Curator of Collections, and Adam Harrison Levy, talk about the International Center of Photography’s “Hiroshima: Ground Zero 1945,” an exhibition of once-classified images of atomic destruction at Hiroshima, drawn from ICP’s permanent collection. This exhibition includes approximately 60 contact prints and photographs made for the 1947 United States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS) report on the effects of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. “Hiroshima: Ground Zero 1945” is on view at ICP through August 28.

[Charred boy's jacket found near Hiroshima City Hall], November 5, 1945.
[Charred boy's jacket found near Hiroshima City Hall], November 5, 1945.

United States Strategic Bombing Survey, Physical Damage Division

Gelatin silver contact print

(International Center of Photography)
[Ruins of Chugoku Coal Distribution Company or Hiroshima Gas Company], November 8, 1945.
[Ruins of Chugoku Coal Distribution Company or Hiroshima Gas Company], November 8, 1945.

United States Strategic Bombing Survey, Physical Damage Division

Gelatin silver contact print

(International Center of Photography)
[Interior of Hiroshima City Hall auditorium with undamaged walls and framing but spalling of plaster and complete destruction of contents by fire], November 1, 1945.
[Interior of Hiroshima City Hall auditorium with undamaged walls and framing but spalling of plaster and complete destruction of contents by fire], November 1, 1945.

United States Strategic Bombing Survey, Physical Damage Division

Gelatin silver contact print

(International Center of Photography)
[Buckle of north wall of wing number one of Funairi Grammar School, Hiroshima], November 20, 1945.
[Buckle of north wall of wing number one of Funairi Grammar School, Hiroshima], November 20, 1945.

United States Strategic Bombing Survey, Physical Damage Division

Gelatin silver contact print

(International Center of Photography)
[Steel stairs warped by intense heat from burned book stacks of Asano Library, Hiroshima], November 15, 1945.
[Steel stairs warped by intense heat from burned book stacks of Asano Library, Hiroshima], November 15, 1945.

United States Strategic Bombing Survey, Physical Damage Division

Gelatin silver contact print

(International Center of Photography)
[Complete destruction of wooden floor and telephone switch and relay racks of Hiroshima Telephone Company, Central District Exchange], October 28, 1945.
[Complete destruction of wooden floor and telephone switch and relay racks of Hiroshima Telephone Company, Central District Exchange], October 28, 1945.

United States Strategic Bombing Survey, Physical Damage Division

Gelatin silver contact print

(International Center of Photography)
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