@@PhotoConversations, I’m truly in awe. I don’t know how you do it. If I had seen one of her books on the table in a bookstore, I wouldn’t have given it a second glance. Just too many empty, superficial books and photos that look similar. You refer to them in the video. One needs to go deeper, and you have done that brilliantly. Shown me something I would have overlooked. I will be passing your video onto friends.
@@LloydSpencer That's very kind Lloyd. Yes, so much of the stuff that is being published is completely hollow, but she's doing the real work. I'm surprised book publishers don't get the difference.
I always struggle to find the purpose and meaning in this type of art. It just seems like so much mumbo jumbo. I have come to believe it is just my inability to comprehend which makes me feel woefully inadequate so i continue to watch and listen in the hopes my brain will fill in the gaps in my understanding.
Thank you. It reminded me of something I've since long sadly forgotten about my own photography. It awakened something deep within. Or at least wants to awaken something. Me perhaps. I'm grateful.
I came across Rinko Kawauchi's book, "Illuminance" at Hi Books PDX. I immediately bought it since the images felt ethereal, as though each one had been captured during a dream. The book has been on the shelf awhile and I'd forgotten her name, but after seeing some of the images featured in your show, I pulled the book out for a fresh look. Thank you for all your wonderful shows on photographers!
Thought provoking. Some photographs resonated. The many that didn’t caused a revisit and a search for the deeper meanings discussed. I had to wrestle with their many technical flaws, try to put these aside, but often got little further
I love your videos so much and it's so inspiring learning about these incredible artist you share. I've decided to include her work and your video in my monthly Photo Club meeting
Wondeful video! New photographer to me. The images are more like a stream of counciousness. Am immersed in post modernism and this kind of photography is amazing and rewarding - to me. Single images have no meaning. Only compared to other images do meaning emerge. Interesting (and age old) philosophy...
There is a sort of connection between this and your recent talk about photography the Czech photographer in perpetual exile, but the kind of exile is vastly different. It would need me to write an essay to explore this thought to find what I really mean, probalby connected with structural semiotics. It is interesting that Ms Kawauchi's work triggers the connection. Being deeply involved with Japanese culture and ideas I don't find her work particularly connected to those but rather more involved with so-called Western aesthetics. She obviously feels differently, so it is perhaps the superficial characteristics of vagueness that push me that way. It is sometimes difficult to connect the video with the subject matter. It is really interesting that you present her work. It fits well in your sequence and - despite one comment below - I find the commentary a balanced and informed opinion. We don't have to agree, do we!
After a second viewing of this I became more involved. The intersection of video and her images feels edgy and disturbing. It feels distracting to me, though your commentary doesn't. Her photographs are absorbing and this time around, sidelining the video sequences, feel much more a part of Japanese sensibilities as I, from an alien culture where I probably intellectualise them, find them. Japanese imagery rarely fails to deeply involve me. It fits my philosophical approach and her images prove absorbing, more so than fashionable Western photographers' ideas of Japan. In what I see here I feel the profound impact that triggered French Impressionism.
This time my response made me look up her publications on the internet, which was a surprise because your necessairly compact format gave no indication of their extent. Impressive!
To be honest, Graeme, I found this difficult to get through. With all due respect to a photographer with your huge knowledge and experience, it seems that the excessive art speak accompanying the photos is like an excuse to justify the lack of actual substance in them. How about doing a feature on Domon Ken, a true luminary of both Japanese and world photography? His photos documenting Hiroshima are surely some of the most profound photos ever taken. Outside of that theme, all his pictures possess great beauty, spirit, humanity, and so much more. So much of todays art seems to require lengthy explanations and specific contexts to validate it. Domon Ken's photos require no conceptual framework to be appreciated. They express and communicate their meaning directly.
Hi Glenn I've been thinking about how to discuss work that is about a subject that is the realm of the metaphysical. It becomes tricky...and wordy. Perhaps words are not the right vehicle - either the pictures move on or not.
This might be better with the sound tutrned off. We can think our own thoughts about her pictures without the narrator's opinions when we turn the sound off.
I appreciated the commentary, helps to understand the thought process behind the images collectively. Why not watch it twice (or more) - after the first time leave the sound off!
I enjoyed the video; the work not so much. While her often out of focus, overexposed methods constitute a style, I suppose, and offers the occasionally powerful image, more often, sans the lengthy explanations, I am left with a feeling of slapdashedness (is that a word?). It is the kind of snapshot aesthetic that seems to be so popular but leaves me cold. Others have brought out the beauty of everyday things by presenting beautiful images of them (Eggleston), or represented the dream state in breathtaking, highly crafted photos (Todd Hido). I find the concept that by merely photographing them they become interesting is already old and tired. Am I missing something.
@@marcopigoni9483 That is true. But ultimately every great photographer is photographing their state of mind. I guess I find some states of mind more interesting than others. There is nothing perfect about Daido Moriyama's photography but I find a power in it that I don't feel from her work. Many of the images don't stand on their own as images. I understand that this is a trend in photography now, it is just is not for me. If you like it, I am glad it works for your.
My gut reaction is to agree with you. Without the esoteric overlay I think there's some beautiful photo's here, that are well crafted. My overarching worry is that often a photograph means more to the photographer than it does to the viewer. I also worry that every photo blown up large and stuck on a gallery wall somehow becomes 'art'. I'm glad the lady enjoys her photography and I'd be happy to wander around an exhibition of it but what I'd take away from it might be utterly different from the next person, and thus does it have meaning or is it just aesthetically attractive ? You could say the same about Hido or Egglestone depending on your subjective viewpoint.
I used to agree with your take on her work. But I think Graeme's analogy of the bubblegum was spot on. The taste doesn't leave after a minute of chewing and there is more than just the sweetness on the surface. I also like how her work is like the opposite of nihilism. I'd rate her higher than Hido now.
Thank you for broadening my visual education.
Not a photographer I was aware of. Very interesting imagery and commentary, thanks
Thanks, Graeme. I needed that in order to access her intriguing world. Yours is such a brilliant treatment. A beautiful video. Thank you.
Much appreciated Lloyd.
@@PhotoConversations, I’m truly in awe. I don’t know how you do it. If I had seen one of her books on the table in a bookstore, I wouldn’t have given it a second glance. Just too many empty, superficial books and photos that look similar. You refer to them in the video. One needs to go deeper, and you have done that brilliantly. Shown me something I would have overlooked.
I will be passing your video onto friends.
@@LloydSpencer That's very kind Lloyd. Yes, so much of the stuff that is being published is completely hollow, but she's doing the real work. I'm surprised book publishers don't get the difference.
I absolutely ❤️ this work
Thank you for drawing our attention to Rinko Kawauchi. Frankly, I think her photography is a class above that of Wolfgang Tillmanns.
Hi Paul That's two of us.
Thank you, Graeme. The images together with your analysis of her work brings it alive, for me, at least!
Stunning presentation and as always your narrative.
Much appreciated.
Really lovely work. I was not familiar with her before your visual essay, so thank you for this!
I always struggle to find the purpose and meaning in this type of art. It just seems like so much mumbo jumbo. I have come to believe it is just my inability to comprehend which makes me feel woefully inadequate so i continue to watch and listen in the hopes my brain will fill in the gaps in my understanding.
Hey VBD Don't bash yourself. Some work will resonate, while others are just not for you.
Great summary of a great photographer by a great photographer 👌
This was great. I used to have the ability to "be in the moment", but then I kinda lost it some time ago.
She's very inspirational.
Some meditation is required!!
Thank you. It reminded me of something I've since long sadly forgotten about my own photography. It awakened something deep within. Or at least wants to awaken something. Me perhaps. I'm grateful.
Great, thanks
I always appreciate your clear and concise appraisal of the work you review.
Much appreciated Tom
I came across Rinko Kawauchi's book, "Illuminance" at Hi Books PDX. I immediately bought it since the images felt ethereal, as though each one had been captured during a dream. The book has been on the shelf awhile and I'd forgotten her name, but after seeing some of the images featured in your show, I pulled the book out for a fresh look. Thank you for all your wonderful shows on photographers!
Great, thanks
Appreciated, thanks.
This is wonderful! I’ll be looking for her books. Thank you.
Thought provoking. Some photographs resonated. The many that didn’t caused a revisit and a search for the deeper meanings discussed. I had to wrestle with their many technical flaws, try to put these aside, but often got little further
Beautiful, loving, inspiring video! Kawauchi's spirit permeates the universe! Thank you for posting this video.
Hi Z Thanks so much. Glad you liked it.
I love your videos so much and it's so inspiring learning about these incredible artist you share. I've decided to include her work and your video in my monthly Photo Club meeting
Hi Franco Much appreciated. Feel free to spread the word!
Another great, meaningful video. Thank you so much. I hope you have a peaceful Christmas.
Much appreciated Rod...and the same to you.
Wondeful video!
New photographer to me.
The images are more like a stream of counciousness. Am immersed in post modernism and this kind of photography is amazing and rewarding - to me.
Single images have no meaning. Only compared to other images do meaning emerge. Interesting (and age old) philosophy...
Hi Glad you liked it. I hope you recover quickly from your post-modern infliction! Ha-ha
Perfect!
I am a lucky man. Happily my infliction is incurable.
Thanks for this. I was going to request you comment on Rinko Kawauchi. I find her work perplexing and intriguing.
Great, good timing!
I love shinto
Chewing gum art exhibition. Interesting
There is a sort of connection between this and your recent talk about photography the Czech photographer in perpetual exile, but the kind of exile is vastly different. It would need me to write an essay to explore this thought to find what I really mean, probalby connected with structural semiotics. It is interesting that Ms Kawauchi's work triggers the connection. Being deeply involved with Japanese culture and ideas I don't find her work particularly connected to those but rather more involved with so-called Western aesthetics. She obviously feels differently, so it is perhaps the superficial characteristics of vagueness that push me that way. It is sometimes difficult to connect the video with the subject matter. It is really interesting that you present her work. It fits well in your sequence and - despite one comment below - I find the commentary a balanced and informed opinion. We don't have to agree, do we!
Hi Michael No, not at all. I really appreciate your and everyone else's engagement. All the best
@@PhotoConversations The thing is, your commentaries are worth engaging.
After a second viewing of this I became more involved. The intersection of video and her images feels edgy and disturbing. It feels distracting to me, though your commentary doesn't. Her photographs are absorbing and this time around, sidelining the video sequences, feel much more a part of Japanese sensibilities as I, from an alien culture where I probably intellectualise them, find them. Japanese imagery rarely fails to deeply involve me. It fits my philosophical approach and her images prove absorbing, more so than fashionable Western photographers' ideas of Japan. In what I see here I feel the profound impact that triggered French Impressionism.
This time my response made me look up her publications on the internet, which was a surprise because your necessairly compact format gave no indication of their extent. Impressive!
To be honest, Graeme, I found this difficult to get through. With all due respect to a photographer with your huge knowledge and experience, it seems that the excessive art speak accompanying the photos is like an excuse to justify the lack of actual substance in them. How about doing a feature on Domon Ken, a true luminary of both Japanese and world photography? His photos documenting Hiroshima are surely some of the most profound photos ever taken. Outside of that theme, all his pictures possess great beauty, spirit, humanity, and so much more. So much of todays art seems to require lengthy explanations and specific contexts to validate it. Domon Ken's photos require no conceptual framework to be appreciated. They express and communicate their meaning directly.
Hi Glenn I've been thinking about how to discuss work that is about a subject that is the realm of the metaphysical. It becomes tricky...and wordy. Perhaps words are not the right vehicle - either the pictures move on or not.
@@PhotoConversations Thank you for your reply. Any thoughts on the work of Domon Ken?
@@PhotoConversations Would really appreciate your assessment of Domon Ken. Is that too much to ask?
This might be better with the sound tutrned off. We can think our own thoughts about her pictures without the narrator's opinions when we turn the sound off.
Feel free
I appreciated the commentary, helps to understand the thought process behind the images collectively. Why not watch it twice (or more) - after the first time leave the sound off!
I enjoyed the video; the work not so much. While her often out of focus, overexposed methods constitute a style, I suppose, and offers the occasionally powerful image, more often, sans the lengthy explanations, I am left with a feeling of slapdashedness (is that a word?). It is the kind of snapshot aesthetic that seems to be so popular but leaves me cold. Others have brought out the beauty of everyday things by presenting beautiful images of them (Eggleston), or represented the dream state in breathtaking, highly crafted photos (Todd Hido). I find the concept that by merely photographing them they become interesting is already old and tired. Am I missing something.
She is photographing her meaning of life, not ordinary things, not perfection. Her state of mind, a true artist. This is my vision about her work
@@marcopigoni9483 That is true. But ultimately every great photographer is photographing their state of mind. I guess I find some states of mind more interesting than others. There is nothing perfect about Daido Moriyama's photography but I find a power in it that I don't feel from her work. Many of the images don't stand on their own as images. I understand that this is a trend in photography now, it is just is not for me. If you like it, I am glad it works for your.
My gut reaction is to agree with you. Without the esoteric overlay I think there's some beautiful photo's here, that are well crafted. My overarching worry is that often a photograph means more to the photographer than it does to the viewer. I also worry that every photo blown up large and stuck on a gallery wall somehow becomes 'art'.
I'm glad the lady enjoys her photography and I'd be happy to wander around an exhibition of it but what I'd take away from it might be utterly different from the next person, and thus does it have meaning or is it just aesthetically attractive ? You could say the same about Hido or Egglestone depending on your subjective viewpoint.
I used to agree with your take on her work.
But I think Graeme's analogy of the bubblegum was spot on.
The taste doesn't leave after a minute of chewing and there is more than just the sweetness on the surface.
I also like how her work is like the opposite of nihilism.
I'd rate her higher than Hido now.
Ha-ha Your Eggleston comment borders on blasphemy!!