I took the photo above rather in tribute to Michael Kenna. He is one of my favorite photographers. He first came to my attention about 15 years ago, and I have been following his career ever since. He works exclusively in Black and White film. His photos are a meditation just to look at and remind me strongly of black and white sumie paintings.
I actually got to meet him in Seattle and he signed my first edition of his book, Japan. It came in a beautiful black silk slipcase with an embossed kanji for Nihon on the outside. Inside the book cover is rising sun red with a simple white JAPAN on the outside. As part of the exhibition, you were given a clipboard and paper and encouraged to write haiku as you went around the gallery to view the photos.
He has done much more work since then, in France, San Francisco, England and all of them very much in the same style. I have several of his calendars that I turn over and over again. You can see more if his work here. And if you are so moved to purchase and support this artist, his publisher is Naraeli Press where you can purchase a calendar for this year.
He has returned over and over again to Japan, especially in winter and has published other books based on the Japanese landscape, most recently Hokkaiko. Also here is an interview with Michael Kenna talking about filming in Hokkaido in the winter. Enjoy
I will have to check out his work!
ReplyDeleteSteph,
DeleteThank you for your comment. Please do check his work out. I will share a little with you at the next class.
Margie