Author Topic: Kenna exhibition London (Read 3945 times)

DonkeyDave · « **on:** November 19, 2012, 08:30:28 AM »

Michael Kenna has a big retrospective type exhibition at Chris Beetles in London. Some new and old images on diplay, 50 in total IIRC. Prices are beyond me at up to £5k but I did buy a programme at £10 which was almost as good...

I didn't realise that all his images are printed 8"x8" and they make for beautiful intimate jewel like landscapes. Well worth a visit (as is World Press Photo at the Royal Festival Hall - mostly dig, some Holga type shots though)

gothamtomato · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2012, 10:21:14 AM »

I was thinking of buying the program for that. How many pages is it and are all the exhibition pictures in there?

THanks!

DonkeyDave · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2012, 10:45:07 AM »

Small book around 8 inches square. Soft bound and has all images plus an interview which is quite interesting and has some film orientated comments. As the original images are only slightly larger than the book images it does seem a bit of a bargain. You couldn't get blurb to produce a book this cheaply - I wonder how the gallery does it, or who they use, would be good for my own exhibitions.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2012, 10:58:59 AM »

Sounds great; thanks for the pointer, Dave. I've been a to a few exhibitions this year at Chris Beetles' gallery with Ailsa because she works close-by. Will have to add this one to the list and see if we can get down there sometime ASAP.

http://www.chrisbeetlesfinephotographs.com/exhibitions/michael-kenna.html

charles binns · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2012, 01:19:48 PM »

Looks good! Will have to check it out.

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2012, 01:31:35 PM »

Yep this is on my list to check out on friday, my day off.

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2012, 01:34:14 PM »

I saw some of kenna's prints on the Galerie Camera Obscura booth at Paris Photo on Friday, and one of his books was there too, and looks amazing. Sadly I just missed the man himself by a couple of hours otherwise I would've bought a copy for him to sign there and then. As I was already overloaded with other purchases I decided to order it online instead.

charles binns · « **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2012, 01:55:35 PM »

This film whetted my appetite for his show. Worth watching. Am now trying to convince myself not to jack the job in and go off to Hokkaido!

http://www.michaelkenna.net/interviews/hokkaido_j.html

Andrej K · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2012, 04:47:49 PM »

I won't be able to visit London this time of year, but if anyone would be so kind and buy for me one brochure and send it I'd very much appreciate that (and of course I'll pay for it)

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2012, 06:21:12 PM »

Andrej. Im going on friday i can pick one up for you. Pm me yr address.

Miller · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2012, 06:08:15 PM »

Checked it out today... Raaaaaather interesting but I have to say for me no 'edge'... Catalogues a plenty and a couple of grand will get you in the mix if your inclined (only a few red stickers)...

I'd think about jacking in the day job... I've been to Hokkaido and it's so damn cold an Eskimo would complain. But I remember in the vast underground shopping centre they hand out free Sapporo beer to be abused by foreigners who come back for more and more and more...

charles binns · « **Reply #11 on:** November 20, 2012, 06:55:42 PM »

I might try to check it out tomorrow. And I'll make sure to jack it all in during the summer!

Late Developer · « **Reply #12 on:** November 20, 2012, 07:56:58 PM »

That's a definite for me and Mrs LD (who, for some strange reason, likes wandering around the shops in that neck of the woods)

gothamtomato · « **Reply #13 on:** November 21, 2012, 12:43:45 PM »

I just ordered mine! If you're not in London, you can order over the phone with a credit card. Can't wait for it to arrive!

@DonkeyDave: Blurb's prices are actually much higher than what you'd pay if you published via the traditional route (ie; going to a good printer and getting a large quantity at once). Going the traditional route, with a high quality printer, and printing at least 2 - 3 thousand copies, would actually cost about 1/3 the price of Blurb. And I'm sure with someone like Michael Kenna, they know it's not a risk to do a large run. People collect all his books and calendars.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2012, 01:01:10 AM »

Quote from: Miller on November 20, 2012, 06:08:15 PM

Checked it out today... Raaaaaather interesting but I have to say for me no 'edge'.

You should have let me know...I was free(ish) today and could probably have come along. Think I'll pop in next week.

LT · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2012, 12:59:40 PM »

I've been to three Kenna shows in recent years, one of which was also a restrospctive, and I dont think there is much more than I've already seen, so I'll give this one a miss. I do love his tiny prints though. They dont need to be any bigger than than they are. Gorgeous. I received the catalogue today, and it is well worth buying. A very nice little book with an interview also.

I love how Miller says they have no edge (and I agree ... now). When MKs work first appeared, I reckon it was all about edge - the square landscape, the moonlight nocturnes, the gritty tonal gradation, large areas of absolute black in the print, etc etc - lots of 'rule' breaking. but then the others started to copy, first with film and now increasingly with digital. Flickr is full of it. It's very tempting to do. Turns into something else at that point.

I still really like the MK pics though, but not the JH, RH, and so on

DonkeyDave · « **Reply #16 on:** November 22, 2012, 01:35:10 PM »

I loved the tiny prints. Makes it so intimate, and only one person has the 'view' at a time. So different to the current trend of filling modern galleries big white walls with mural prints.

Andrej K · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2012, 08:14:22 AM »

On the topic of Kenna - I've just discovered a teaser for a film about his Korean adventures -A letter from Shinan - watch here http://youtu.be/lQvsEhFDJ5g

Suzi Livingstone · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2012, 08:43:49 AM »

I went last friday, have to say I quite enjoyed it. There were only a few people in the gallery and it was quiet, cosy and calming. Lovely prints which look even better face to face, and i liked that they were small too.

Andrej your book is en route

LT · « **Reply #19 on:** November 29, 2012, 02:05:22 PM »

Quote from: Andrej K on November 29, 2012, 08:14:22 AM

On the topic of Kenna - I've just discovered a teaser for a film about his Korean adventures -A letter from Shinan - watch here http://youtu.be/lQvsEhFDJ5g

brilliant - thanks for the link. MK appears to be turning into Keef Richards - last time I checked, he was more like a geography teacher.

gothamtomato · « **Reply #20 on:** December 07, 2012, 08:33:12 PM »

My Michael Kenna catalogue just arrived from London. It's a lovely little book with an interview with Michael in the front. Definitely worth it. And it also arrived with an insert - a price list for his photos which was interesting because I'd been wondering how much they are. I can't afford them, but it's still good to know.