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)

Untitled (Composition with bricks, Bauhaus) | Iwao Yamawaki 1930-2, from the Tate Museum

Stairs and Shadow | Iwao Yamawaki 1932, from Howard Greenberg Gallery

Untitled (Modernist architecture) | Iwao Yamawaki 1930-2, Tate Museum

View from the Tower of Pisa | Iwao Yamawaki 1932, listed on artnet

Untitled (Bridge) | Iwao Yamawaki 1930-2, listed on artnet

Untitled | Iwao Yamawaki 1932, from Museum of Modern Arts

Untitled (Facade, De Wolkenkrabber, Amsterdam, Architect: Jan Frederik Staal) | Iwao Yamawaki 1932, listed on artnet

Untitled (photo of the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam) | Iwao Yamawaki, 1930-2, listed on invaluable auctions

Abstraction (Gears) | Iwao Yamawaki 1932

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

Untitled (Modernist architecture) | Iwao Yamawaki 1930-2, Tate Museum

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.

Blog post 7 + 8 on DX

Artist Statement (rev 1)

Industrial Dreams and Whispers of Change

(cringe working title subject to change)

In my triptych, I want to emphasize the unique Industrial features of 798, an art district known for its history as a Bauhaus style Industrial factory. In my opinion, I believe that these features give 798 a distinct ‘soul’ and ‘voice’ and convey a theme of abandonment, rebirth, and finding beauty in unexpected places. I want the audience to be able to appreciate the unique history and structural tones of 798 and feel a feeling of isolation but also intrigue by viewing a ‘drab’, ‘normal’ factory formerly associated with mass-production through artistic, individualistic lens. For inspiration, I want to find photographers that have some background in photographing industrial architecture, or capture everyday, unnoticed objects in interesting ways. Furthermore, I want to find photographers whose photography styles are not too heavily rooted in post-production editing, as I want my portrayals of 798 to provide new perspectives, but still look authentic in the end. 798 is an intriguing art district to me, and I look forward to taking photographs that capture the idiosyncrasy of the district in an artistic manner.

Research Mind Map

 

 

Blog Task

This is blog post 5 on DX

1. PICK ONE PHOTOGRAPH FROM ONE OF THE NAMED PHOTOGRAPHERS “Abstract photography can be defined as capturing images in which the subject isn’t the most interesting element. Albert Renger-Patzsch, Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind photographed the ordinary to reveal their beauty. Uta Barth reversed the typical use of the camera, shooting out of focus and Andreas Gursky photographs the repetition of elements. During this unit you will investigate appropriate examples of abstract photography and respond in your own way..”

1. Copy the photograph into your blog
2. List 3 things the photographer might have been interested in capturing in this picture?
3. If you were the photographer, what title would you give it? Explain why.
4. Describe the use of line, shape, Pattern, texture, tone and focus – USE THE NOTES ABOVE AS A GUIDE. SOME EXAMPLES of WORK BELOW.
5. MAKE SURE YOU CITE SOURCES!!!

99 Cents

99 Cent – Andreas Gursky | the Broad

Elements of interest in the Photograph

The following information was generated from an analysis of “99 cents” from “The Broad):

1. capturing the overwhelming flood of products presented to consumers (in terms of quantity, color, choice)
2. contrasting the varied textures of each brand of products, while also showing repetition in the rows of items and uniformity of packaging
3. The relationship between consumers and products (showing consumers as sporadically spread out between aisles, looking almost anonymous and lost in a sea of merchandise.
4. Interesting near – symmetrical structure of an ubiquitous, normal, unartistic looking supermarket

After further research, it is also interesting to note that through digital manipulation, Andreas Gursky actually reflected the supermarket onto the ceiling of the store, further adding to the overwhelming visual effect and to the sensation of being surrounded by consumer culture gone mad (“COMPLETE: The Woulds of Wall Street”).

Alternate Name??

If you were the photographer, what title would you give it? Explain why.

I think that the title “99 cents” is suitable; it offers context on the subject of the photograph, while the mention of money in the title also appeals to the theme of the photo. However, if I were to name it, I would probably name it “My Romantic Dollarscape”. “The Romantic Dollarscape” is actually the name of a painting (Pedro Álvarez — Cuban Art Database, n.d.) by Pedro Alvarez, but I thought that it is fitting for this photograph.

“My” is ironic considering that “my” connotates a personal relationship with an object, while the photograph seems impersonal rather than personal,  taking on a wide POV that offers a very different perspective from that of the human eye. The shoppers are anonymous and are usually backfacing the viewer, so their features are undistinguished. Furthermore, the products are all mass produced, which means that they are all similar and produced with lack of creativity and individuality, and are not personal to the viewer. “Romantic” is also ironic, considering the uniformity and saturated designs of the packaging make it look superficial and cheap (as typical of a 99cent store) rather than romantic. Dollarscape is created by blending 2 words – dollar and scape – together. Dollar stands for our unit of money, while scape denotes “an extensive view, scenery” (“Dictionary.com”). Dollarscape does not seem to be a dictionary word, but the audience will probably understand it as a scenery to do with money, which again calls back to the theme with a dramatic flair, adding some flavor to a normal 99cents store. It also likens the view of the store to natural scenery, which also mirrors how the rows of products seem to form an artificial landscape.

Analysis

Line – the entire picture is composed of many lines. Those that most capture the audience’s attention are the long, horizontal straight lines that are formed by the rows of merchandise. I find these interesting, as they mirror the composition of a lot of natural landscape photography. There are also 6 vertical straight lines, which are created by pillars in the store, contrasting with the heavy horizontal elements.

Shape – shape is not the main focus of this photograph. Although arguably each individual piece of merchandise is a rectangular shape, I personally feel like Gursky was trying to make a statement by photographing the mass assemblage of the products, rather than trying to capture individual shapes of the packages.

Pattern – there is a strong sense of pattern created by the multiple rows of merchandise. Although items in stock differ, from the large scale perspective, they create a series of horizontal rows that is appealing and intriguing.

Texture – there is some sense of texture that is created through the different packages of items on each of the shelves. The illusion or appeal to the audience’s sense of texture could further expand on the theme of sensory overload due in current consumer culture.

Tone – The tone of the whole photograph reflects normal, everyday lighting (however, it might be a little brighter than usual just for artistic effect). There is not much shade in the photo, as everything is illuminated brightly and artificially.

Focus – The whole photograph is in focus, Gursky was likely not using his camera’s focus to make any statements.

Works Cited

Blog post 4

Blog Task

1. Explain what the phrase Formal Elements means in photography.
2. Describe each of the 6 elements discussed so far (line, shape, pattern, texture, tone, focus)
3. Give an example that emphasizes each element (you can use your own image or an image from somebody else – but it must be cited!)
4. Can an image show just one element at a time? Justify your answer.

Formal Elements of Photography

Definitions have been paraphrased from DX

Formal Elements – they are visual elements that make up an interesting, captivating photograph. These include line, shape, pattern, texture, tone and focus (DX).

Line – Objects are framed in a way that emphasize on their lines, which can be of varied lengths, boldness, directions. They can be both straight or curvy, and can suggest direction and guide the audience’s attention (DX).

Shape – geometric/organic shapes created through lines or elements of the scene (DX).

Repetition/Pattern – shapes/lines/elements in the scene which repeat and create a pattern (DX).

Texture – The subject is photographed in a way that suggests different sensory feelings when touched, for example, smooth, coarse, uneven (DX).

Value/Tone – shades and shadows in a photograph, for example dark VS light and portrayal of value (DX).

Focus – deals with parts of the scene the camera focuses on, which parts are clearest or sharpest? Sometimes, this can just be the whole photo (DX).

Example of Formal Elements

I used my own images as examples!

Line –

Shape – 

Repetition/Pattern – 

Texture –

Value/Tone – 

Focus

Discussion Question

Can an image show just one element at a time? Justify your answer.

Generally I think this is near impossible to do. Unless you isolate your composition until there is only a line and a blank background, you can always identify more than one element. They might not be the most detailed or interesting, however, everything is composed of lines, so that’s already one element. Lines are 2 dimensional and have no width, so you would also need either another element of photography, a background, or repeated lines to fill in a photograph. That would then show another element of photography.

Even an abstract photograph of, say, just a pipe, will include at least 2 elements: line and texture. If it has a background, it might also have elements of value/tone. So, generally, I think that one image usually will show more than 1 element at a time.

Citation

Dawson, Mike. “Formal Elements – Blog Posts 4 & PHOTO ANALYSIS – Blog Post 5.” Login / International School of Beijing, dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/648607/sections/lesson/344121/page/344128. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.