Artist Introduction

The photographer that inspires me is Japanese photographer and architect Iwao Yamawaki. The first thing that attracted me is his relationship to Bauhaus Architecture; he was a student of the Bauhaus (Iwao Yamawaki | Howard Greenberg Gallery), which is the same architecture style 798 is in (“Fig. 4. Bauhaus Style…”). He is not famous for abstract photography, but some of his photos qualify as abstract, and are a source of inspiration for me.

Gallery

Please view in full screen/wide screen format for best results. (I coded the blog so that it will show 2 pictures next to each other, but only if the screen is wide enough)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analyse the photographic style. Make a list of at least 5 characteristics (typical things) that define can your chosen photographs (Tip: think about the Formal Elements. Also, what do you see that’s similar in three or more of these pictures?).

5 Characteristics of Iwao Yamawaki’s work:

1. An isolated exploration of tone (black and white filter, removes colour and emphasizes only on contrasting tones of white-black in his pictures)
2. Strong, straight, diagonal lines from the architecture that run across the frame (generally shown in pictures with pictures of buildings
3. Angled frame, showing the subject at a titled angle (most prominent in pics 3, 4, 6, 7, 8)
4. Some emphasis on near repetition, such as repeated windows, repeated patterns of shadows, repeated shape of bricks, repeated structure of gears
5. Strong shape element, such as the geometric shape of the bricks, or other pillars
6. Focus is clear throughout photograph, there is no manipulation of focus.

Iwao Yamawaki is not a particularly famous photographer. His photography career was brief, and suddenly ended before it could took off; he eventually became an architect (“Iwao Yamawaki”). Thus, I unfortunately don’t have a quote of his.

Connection to my Vision

Iwao Yamawaki’s work deeply connects to my vision from many aspects from subject matter to photography style. As I mentioned in my artist statement, I would like to emphasize the distinct features of 798, which includes its Bauhaus style architecture and ex-Industrial history; as a photographer deeply tied to the Bauhaus movement and a photographer who has photographed buildings of the Bauhaus style before, Iwao Yamawaki’s work serves as a guide of how I deal with my subject. I think the black and white aspect of his art is also a good tool to emphasize the structural details of the buildings I want to capture, emphasizing the theme of unexpected beauty; the filter also helps to build the mood of abandonment and isolation that I want to convey.

Since the subject matter Iwao Yamawaki focuses on and the subject matter I’m focusing on is similar, it is also easier to apply his artistic techniques (as opposed to me trying to apply techniques used in an abstract landscape photographer). For example, for my set based of Iwao Yamawaki, I will consider using angled frames and to capture the unique structural details of converted buildings in 798. In post production, I will use editing techniques to make my pictures black and white to further mirror his style.

1 Photo Analysis

Why did I choose this image?

I chose this image because it captures a building in an abstract manner, which closely adheres to what I wish to do at 798.

What is unique/surprising about this image?

I think the structure of the photograph is unique; usually, I would not think of photographing a building like this. In fact, generally I would probably not view this building as worth photographing.

I also think its surprising how much complexity in texture and detail can be shown even using black and white (e.g. the windows of the building)

Choose a formal element and explain why it is important

I think one important formal element is the element of line. The entire photograph is composed of long and short lines. Structurally, it is composed of several long, diagonal lines that span the image. There are also many short, parallel lines that form some repetition/pattern, and these create variation in texture, making the photograph more interesting, and the building less homogenous.