Michael Kenna: A 20 Year Retrospective
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Photography & Video
Michael Kenna: A 20 Year Retrospective Details
Language Notes Text: English, Japanese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Read more
Reviews
As an artist, Michael Kenna never fails to deliver excellence. Thankfully the printing in this book comes as close as it is possible in offset lithographic reproduction to remind us what his original art looks like. His work is a challenge to print, especially this well. Somebody cared a lot about this large, beautiful book from the beginning to end of the processes that created it. This is also the first book I had seen of Mr. Kenna's rich, long tonal range, emotive photographs. I was visiting a friend who opened it up during another conversation. I could not wait to have in in my hands and carefully appreciate what I could see and sense. I was delighted to be able to take an even closer look when I had a copy of my own. It completely captivates me and I did not want to stop looking. Each place is transformed by his personal moods and meanings. Each place can represent a kind of state of mind that is simultaneously stimulated by your personal aesthetic response. These are solitary places. many of which are almost mystical in their peaceful, contemplative invocations. I also felt part of every distinct place, page by page, instead of just being an observer or simply staring in appreciation of his fine craft. Kenna is the level of photographer that many others try to emulate or, failing that, take a far easier route, attempting to copy. Either way, they are compliments.You will find several other books about Michael Kenna and his work but this book's illustrations are hard to beat taken as a collection. One could complain that any retrospective collection will suffer from its inability to form a coherent whole. However, that would be unfair to you, the reader, for each plate is ultimately experienced and explored one by one. The collective contributions can be left open to further debate by specialists. I am still content to leave my time and place to visit those minimalist creations he has made into photographs. Each visit is fresh despite my familairity.I also recommend it very highly to those building a library collection of the best books available about photographers.
