Evan Baden

I recently came across some work by Evan Baden titled Illuminati. As a video gamer and a father of two young DS owners I identified with his work immediately.

Pearl Harbor Visit

Kyle's Opinion

One of the biggest tourist attractions on Oahu island is Pearl Harbor. It is one of Americas most sacred memorials. There are 1.5 million visitors per year and most times there is a two hour wait to visit the Arizona. I was very surprised to see so many Japanese tourists there. The strange and surreal seemed to have come to life. I have hiked numerous WWII sites in the Pacific, specifically Guam and Iwo Jima. I thought it was only appropriate that I photographed at the location of the United States entry into the war. Although there was a somber feel to the place, it had a bit of Disneyesque feeling to it. Again, I took on the role of the tourist and had my photo taken by the facilities photographer. As I was having my picture taken I thought about what Joel Meyerwitz said in the August 2008 Focus Magazine.

"It's what photography can actually do best, to describe a moment in "the present", whatever that present is. It's the "eternal present". We sit here in 2008 and we pick up something from 1860 and we look at it from 2008 and it's in our lives. It fills us with wonder ... suddenly you're there and you forget where you are."

What will my son think in 20 or 50 years when he looks at our tourist souvenir? The meaning of the faux newspaper certainly has multiple meanings because of his mixed heritage. The issue is a complex one in which I am exploring in my work.

The Ugly American

As a photographer I have a very difficult time when others take my picture. Whether this a control issue I'm not sure. The work that I have been doing in Japan was to photograph the hybridization of my children, myself and my wife. I made attempts to do some self portraits in one particular Japanese hot spa facility with no success. For this picture I thought that it was only appropriate that the Yunessun facility photographer did a portrait of me with my family. I wanted to de-skill most of the process. As with many portraits the truth is not always evident. For this one I intentionally made myself look bad, with no shirt (they provided all men with beach tops), stomach sticking out and looking strangely. I was one of only 16 gaijin in this facility and I wanted to externalize my anxieties. I wanted to take the roll of the Ugly American.

According to wikipedia:

Ugly American is an epithet used to refer to perceptions of loud, arrogant, demeaning, thoughtless and ethnocentric behavior of American citizens mainly abroad, but also at home. Although the term is usually associated with or applied to travelers and tourists, it also applies to US corporate businesses in the international arena.

Fish Eye Fun

You probably couldn't tell by the last few posts with the views from tall hotels. But, I am deathly afraid of heights. As I type this on my hotel balcony, my muscles are tense and I'm a bit dizzy. There is only a one inch thick railing that is between me and 9 floors down. AHHH! Well at any rate, I wanted to post a picture that I did the other day with my 10.5 mm lens. The problem with a fish eye is that it's all about the lens and not the image. Hey what the heck. It looks cool anyways.

View of Wakiki From The Sheraton

I recently bought a guidebook to Ohau and in it there was a section called the "best of " Ohau. As a photographer I was curious if the book had any suggestions for places to photograph. (I know, I know) Well, there was the "best" view of Wakiki. It was listed as the view from the thirtieth floor of the Sheraton Wakiki. Last night, I headed straight for it. At first I was a little apprehensive because I wasn't a guest of the hotel but none the less I went for it. I initially went to the thirty-first floor thinking that the higher the better. But, I had no luck. The floor had no windows from the hallways. I, then went to the thirtieth floor and found a restaurant with the most spectacular views. I first ran into the hostess  of the Hanohano Room. She realized what I was up to and kindly suggested that once I finish photographing the east view to take a look at the west view because the sun was setting. Fine Art photography or not it was still very beautiful.

Waikiki

Well, I've made it to Hawaii safe and sound. The flight wasn't so long if you compare it to the Boston to Tokyo flight. I have started shooting right away. Hawaii seems to have the elements that I'm looking for as it pertains to the hybrid nature of my children's two cultures. From the onset my kids have been enjoying themselves alongside their Japanese cousins. I haven't yet started my residency summary. Oops! I will get to it in a few days. I'll leave you with two views from my hotel room.

Astushi Okada

I have only a few more hours in Japan and I find myself struck with an acute feeling of melancholy. Time passes quickly and there is so much more I’d like to do. I try to avoid the inevitable (leaving Japan) in every possible way but I know that's impossible. I recently picked up a book called I Am by Atsushi Okada. I am struck by the simplicity of his photographs and how it represents the topic of self-mutilation. I have included two photos that I pieced together and his artist statement. His statement seems heartfelt and sincere which is unlike a lot I have recently which use obtuse art-speak as a justification for their artwork. It seems a bit tired at this point. Alas! I’m off to Hawaii.