Monday, October 16, 2006

Shinro Ohtake ~ Japan





Shinro Ohtake has long been an influence, since seeing the book London/Honcon 1980 in the early 80's. Since then I've been fortunate to see his work in book form over the years, mostly through my friend Alfred who lives in Tokyo/Seattle. The top image is from that book, a notebook format combination of drawing and collage presented in a gorgeous box. The next two images are from Atlanta 1945+50 published by and in collaboration with Nexus Press in Atlanta, Georgia, 1996. It is a feat of printing, each book is unique in that the paper is different for each copy, throwaway sheets from printers and billboards and including hand tipped vernacular photographs. The color is vivid and varied and the project is insanely wonderful,,, Ohtake suggests viewing the book under a black light, something I've never done for some unknown reason. I guess I left mine back in the attic decades ago. The next image is from the book America II 1989, and is similar to Atlanta 1945+50 but larger and not so elaborately printed> This book also comes in a box and the cover is die cut. The final image is of a one of a kind Scrapbook (#18) one of many he has evidently made scores of. Why am I going on about Shinro Ohtake? Tomorrow I leave for Tokyo/Japan and will see a major retrospective of his. It took 7 different locations to exhibit his output. The guy is obviously prolific and works in many different media, including very large scale sculpture, installations and paintings. The major show is at Tokyo Contemporary Museum of Art and takes up 4 floors. Apart from that I'll be in Japan for 2 1/2 weeks, and need to start packing.

Seattle Seen 3

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Costume Party






At Square America, new selections on the Costume Party pages...

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Erosion

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Windows 15

For Sale 2

Vehicle 3

Thursday, October 05, 2006

For Sale 1

Monday, October 02, 2006

Kazue Sawai and Koto Ensemble



I had the pleasure of photographing Kazue Sawai, Koto master from Japan during rehearsal for a very amazing concert at Cornish College of the Arts last Friday. Pictured at top is the Koto ensemble of 8 players including Elizabeth Falconer 4th from left, who organized the concert, and players from Japan, Oregon, California and Washington. The title of the program, Homura: Bursting into Flames, may describe the music just as well as I could. It's also the title of the final piece of the evening, written by Tadao Sawai, Kazue's late husband.