oh no... its happening., I'm loosing the will to type. why does this happen to me. it never did before. If this continues I will stop writing and chuck it up to some meaningless excuse... no... I must continue... but not with fore. if i use force it will end up like the piece of crap review i wrote for blue star... don't worry... i will post that soon.,.. very soon... mwahahahaha
And... back.
As I was saying, the blue star was a weird place to be. There were people walking around going from gallery to gallery, talking to the gallery curators/artists and amongst each other as though it were a party... which it might as well be because alcohol and snacks are semi-bountifully offered.
Needless to say I didn't feel as though belonged there one bit. Granted I was wearing Jeans, and carrying a notebook too but I didn't feel that I would be comfortable even if I was dressed in a Yves Saint Laurent three button Jacket and Louis Vuitton shoes.
I looked around and what I saw was a social event. People enjoying themselves and discussing amongst themselves. This was basically a party for sophisticated individuals. I've never truly enjoyed parties for my peers and I sure as hell wasn't enjoying a party with older individuals.
The theme was Japanese photography, a mixture of a place and culture I love and a medium I am interested in. But this was not to be fully absorbed by my curiousity...
I had to get out.
That's right, after I got to the Blue Star gallery, my first impression was to get out! But that just wont do. I have a job to complete here and I'll be damned if my self consciousness gets the best of me.
Following this will be a confused, uninspired, frustrated and consecrated review of the gallery. I advise that you not read it as it is mostly there for legal reasons:
COUNTER-PHOTOGRAPHY
Japan's Artists Today
Blue Star Gallery, San Antonio
September 5th, 2008
Japan.
Upon the mention of this word I have been completely captivated. Regardless of what follows my interest has already been raised to forty percent. You see, somewhere around the age of fifteen I discovered that Japanese cartoons were becoming the new wave of fashion for those in the nerd or geek sub culture. I, being a card carrying member, was attracted to this form of entertainment which eventually evolved from Love of Japanese Cartoons to Love of Japanese Culture and finally to Love of Japan.
So Imagine my delight to know that the Blue Star was hosting a Gallery full of modern Photography by Japanese artists. Not only does this sedate my Japanophilic needs but it also educates me on the artistic process oh photography. Please be aware that most of my judgment will be based on my feelings towards the works themselves and will not be affected by any social or political factors.Let us begin with the Works of Eikoh Hosoe. Black and white photographs on Gelatin Silver prints. Mounted on a slim black frame with thick white borders. Nothing to distract from the work and why should there be? I find his work very easy to relate to. He chooses angles and perspectives to make the figures interesting or to make the entire composition effective. These pieces seemed to be the only ones in the gallery that chose to make the human form an active part of the photos.
However Mr. Hosoe is completely different from Tomoaki Ishihara. The works of Ishihara are larger, more colorful and employ mixed cultures in some cases. Untitled #195 is one piece that consist of a blurry face in the foreground while the background, where the focus is, is a beautiful triptych with what seems to be European art similar to that of the reconnaissance period.This seemed strangely comfortable with the process implemented. I'm not sure what experience leads one to such inspiration like that but I would love to reach that point someday.
Photography seems to be a very alien style of art from what I've seen. It seems to make even less sense than conceptual works and yet have a far more striking impact on those who know it's true nature. Walking around the gallery of Japanese art filled me with a sense of regression. I felt as though all that I have learned up to this point is so minute that I will never be able to catch up unless drastic measures are made. That or I re-roll Japanese.
