Just published!
Sculpture by: Meekyoung Shin
Hello to all!
I’m celebrating with a nice glass of wine! What’s the occasion? Well other than having a great life, my photos have been published in a magazine! It will only get better as other photos are being published in a major book! I will post the two articles complete with photos when a copy of the magazine arrives in my hands tomorrow. A wave of peace has rushed over me and now I want to do yoga until I fall asleep. Goodnight.
Namaste.
Back in the day…
I really like this. It makes me wonder if children are now thinking in these terms. Can you imagine if they did? What in the world would they say?
1st kid: Hey guys. You know, I was just thinking, remember when we had it real good, all we had to do was float and eat what Mom felt like eating. Now we have too many choices! Everyone is going bazonkers if food isn’t organic!”
2nd kid: Everything is organic since it’s we’re all going to return to the dust from whence we came…
3rd kid: What? We came from dust?
All three kids: MOM!!!!!
What do you think they’d say?
Vagina Monologues, What?!
Leave it up to the hood’ of Hongdae to stop me in my tracks. Korea is extremely conservative when it comes to sex, but this right here? Too good for words! Whoever designed this should have gone all the way by at least being cheekier with the color selection. I give it a B+.
For my beautiful brother Yusef, and the DMB
It started yesterday when I received an email from a very special woman who is contemplating moving to Madrid. The DMB currently lives in Japan, quite a jump in cultures, non?
Fortunately I have a wonderful brother and he introduced me to flamenco music years ago and I’ve been loving it ever since. The passion, love for life and even agony I hear in the voices of those that sing flamenco makes me so glad to be alive. Joaquin dances the way that I feel most of the time, especially today. I sometimes think that I am destined to roam the earth, like a gypsy or Bedouin, this makes me sad at times but somehow it also makes me appreciate the wonders that I see on a daily basis. I have chosen my life it was not chosen for me and for better or worse, I celebrate all of it. When I look at this performance that’s what I see: a celebration of the joy, the pain, the blood that runs through the veins, creating endless energy and light. This is my life and it becomes greater by the second.
Official stamps
Still mesmerized by these beautiful marble stamps. Here in Korea, marble or wooden stamps are used for official documents as proof of purchase (houses, land, etc.), contract agreements, etc. I wish that we had this kind of domestic artistry in the United States. You know, just before I buy one of the three homes I plan to purchase, I get to hold one of these hand carved beauties in my hand to remember the occasion.
I see Georgia O’Keefe
I am going to work on a write a story about these brushes now. I can’t seem to look away from them. They make me think of Georgia O’Keefe’s flowers.
A couple of days ago I walked through Insadong feeling so excited about a new photoshoot and something made me go into a random calligraphy shop and ask if I could take some pictures. Now initially I stopped only to photograph the vast array of marble stamps. They were made in the likeness of fish, hares, dragons, etc. So beautiful, I mean, holding them was almost too good to be true. Those photos are coming, you will not be disappointed. Ah, but the brushes. Insadong is known for calligraphy, tourist shops full of celadon pottery for which Korea is known for and other souvenirs. I could not have dreamt of more beautiful brushes and the staff were very kind and generous to me. I’m still floating on air and yes, I will take calligraphy courses in February as it will teach me more about patience. I think that this will take me even deeper into yoga and make me a better photography. Enjoy life.
It’s been a long time coming!
A change has come! I feel as if I’ve been away for a long time. I missed you! Big things! Big things! I was interviewed by a big newspaper here (Chosun), and a lesson was learned. I am about to interview two artists I’ve featured on this blog and I’ve been so enthralled, enchanted by photography that wonderful projects are now in the works due to some very nice people seeing my work on this blog! Life is better than ever! I will post more photos soon but one thing is for certain, Photography is my present and future! A stronger business is born.Here’s a little something that I focused on a couple of days ago. Enjoy.
Translation: Meekyoung Shin
I’m sitting here, heart racing over the images I produced from the breathtaking objets d’art of Meekyoung Shin. I met with Anna (finally face to face) of Annamatic yesterday and eventually walked into an art gallery that left quite an impression on me months ago, Mongin Art Center, located in Samcheongdong.The installation leaves February 3, 2008. I recommend that you hurry to see the artistry of Meekyoung Shin.
I walked into this incredible place not prepared to find such creativeness, simplicity and timeless sensualness. Her collection is called Translations, and her vases and statues at first glance are quite allluring. You’re drawn to the color, the shapes, the fluidity. We thought that the material was wax, I thought glass or marble, oh no, none of that. It is quite a feat what she creates here, the material that she uses? Soap. Unbelievable. Really, her choice of material is just part of the intrigue, it’s what she’s saying about culture, languages, religion, how we now relate to art, etc, along with the material, is nothing short of true passion and great intelligence.My pulse is racing still.
I hope that I get to meet her. I’d like to thank the Curator and the Assistant Curator for letting me photograph this installation and of course, Ms. Meekyoung Shin, it was an honor.
Mongin Art Center
www.mongin.org
tel: 02 736 1446 106
Address: Samchung-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-230
Three really is the magic number
The number three and all multiples of three really excite me for some reason.Yesterday was exceptionally fortuitous as I met someone in Bukchon and was given an informative tour of the area. He gave me a lot of historical information about some things, buildings, that I had not noticed before in Bukchon and also inspired me to know get closer to the people that I encounter there. It was pointed out to me that most homes in Bukchon, traditional homes called hanok, are constructed with three layers of wall. The first part is made out of clay and the other part two layers consist of a stone of some sort. I have walked past these walls countless times but never took the time to really look deeply at a wall. So simple and fascinating.
A trusting people, part two
The weather was so beautiful yesterday! The sun was out in all her glory! Today? It’s been snowing and raining ever since 4 AM. A complete turnaround. I’m so shocked but happy that I took hundreds of photos that of course I will share with you. I took this photography because I I’m attracted to motorcycles here in Korea. I love how they create their own backrest for the driver. You would not believe some of the things that these babies have carried, 10 or 20 boxes (yes, I’ve had time to count them), major furniture, etc.The amazing thing about this bike is that the key is still in the ignition. Somehow, this touched my heart.
