benjo ditch - Naha, Okinawa
I HAVE OFTEN MENTIONED THAT I BELIEVE THAT the manner in which I see the tangible, physical world–that is with an emphasis on lines, shapes, space, tone which, when isolated together, create form–is a somewhat preternatural disposition. I can write unequivocally that it is not a learned inclination–it has, and continues to be, always just been there. It would seem logical that that inclination, from very early childhood, to make visual art–specifically drawing / illustration–stems from this baked-in personal trait.
That written, it is rather ironic that, spending my formative teenage years living within sight of KODAK tower / headquarters in Rochester, NY, it was never suggested that I explore the idea of making visual art with a camera. In fact, I had to travel halfway around the planet–Japan, specifically the island of Okinawa (courtesy of Uncle Sam)–to discover that possibility.
While living in Japan–for better part of 2 years residing off-base with my wife in a district in the capitol city of Naha–I was very fortunate to meet and become friends with a local who had an abiding interest in art including photography. Over my time there he took me to many exhibitions–most involving photography–of (duh) oriental art / crafts and to many off-the-main-track artist’s studios and other places of unique visual interest.
Photography wise, those many exhibitions were my very first exposure to photographs made by “serious” amateur photographers. And, it is accurate to write that most, if not all, of the photography on exhibit was of “straight” / un-effects-ed photography of everyday life. Ya know …. straight forward, artfully made pictures of, in Jean Shepherd’s words, the world in all its lumpishness and humanity. I liked it.
Having had no exposure to “serious” amateur photography American-style at that time, I was completely unaware of that genre’s propensity for the cliche-ridden predilection for the grand and glorious landscape and other “spectacular” subject matter. Imagine my complete surprise upon my return to the USA.
Long story made short, after my return to the USofA and 10 years of getting my feet on the ground, commercial photography wise, I began to pursue the idea of making photographs that might be considered to be fine art. My primary departure from the American “serious” amateur crowd was my avoidance of the grand / spectacular as my referent of choice. This was not by deliberate intention; I was, and continue to be, innately attracted to the everyday, some might say “mundane” world– it is quite simply what pricks my eye and sensibilities–both in my photo making and my interest in photos made by others that I like to view.
While it would be convenient to write that my picture making was profoundly influenced by my experiences in Japan, I can not fully embrace that idea. However, what I did discover while in Japan is that there is a name for the kind of art I most enjoy making and viewing ….
….. wabi sabi; a reaction to the prevailing aesthetic of lavishness, ornamentation, and rich materials, wabi-sabi is the art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in earthiness, of revering authenticity above all. Wabi-sabi is to see the singular beauty in something that may first look decrepit and ugly …. It takes a mind quiet enough–in a sense, a mindfulness, aka bringing attention to the present moment–to appreciate muted beauty and willingness to accept things as they are–without ornamentation.
I have been recently contemplating the wabi sabi idea, which at its core is a state of mind / being, cuz I have had to write an Artist Statement to accompany my upcoming gallery presentation. An AS requirement is to make clear the concept / intention driving the work–good luck being taken seriously without a concept.
The challenge for me in the writing was to; 1) avoid pretentious / obtuse art-speak, 2) avoid implying that my photographs “examine” deep personal thoughts / feelings / struggles, 3) emphasize that my photographs are visual instruments, not intellectual exercises, 4) convey, with an economy of words / illustrated by my images, how I see the world with the wabi sabi concept as my guide, and, 5) share that vision with others.