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Exhibit: SUISEKI | Zen Water-Stone Project by Stephen Guenther


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1100 Florence Gallery presents the SUISEKI | Zen Water-Stone Project, photography exhibit by Stephen Guenther.

This exhibit is on display October 17 thru November 1, with an opening reception on October 17, 5-8p. 10 guests will be invited into the gallery space at a time, with refreshments served outside pending the weather. After the opening reception, guests are invited to see the exhibit by appointment only, via 1100florencegallery@gmail.com

Join us Sunday for a Gallery Tour and Interview on Zoom with Stephen

Nov 1, 2020 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74713953981?pwd=TnVuQ0FWRFJCVlh0cGdQaHFOOGtCQT09

Meeting ID: 747 1395 3981

Passcode: UaJgL3

Exhibit and Artist Statement

Suiseki literally means “water stone” (Sui, water; Seki, stone). Originating some 2,000 years ago in Japan, interesting, rare or well-formed stones were placed and displayed in watered trays.  Imitations of classic landscape paintings, they were also associated with the legendary mountains, islands and seas represented in Buddhist and Taoist texts.

I have been fascinated by both Japanese esthetics and Japanese rock gardens in particular. A few years ago I discovered Japanese Water-Stone Gardens and was mesmerized. Over the past 4+ years I have attempted to capture that same spirt with my photography, the same overlap of water and natural stones in their native environment. Using the photographic techniques of movement and light I have accumulated a large body of representative work, this show presents a portion of images to create the strongest body of work I can, one that reflects both my vision and the original spirit of Suiseki.

A secondary intention of this show is to pay homage to my mentors and photography teachers, in particular to C.J. Pressman, Henry Holmes Smith and Minor White.

BIO | STEPHEN GUENTHER

My first camera came at a very young age, just noting that it was a Mickey Mouse camera says it all. One day I borrowed my older brother’s 35mm Pentax, now I experienced the ability to see through the lens which was both a discover and a joy.  This was my first touch of photographic magic, yet more of a hobby than a fully formed passion at the age of 16.

It was while in my senior year of undergraduate (visual psychology) when I joined a friend working in the darkroom on a project in Architecture, that the full weight of the photography connected. The magic of the obfuscated image in the developing tray coming to life from a latent image was the permanent connection.

My formal education in photography began at the Center for Photographic Studies where my first teacher was CJ. Pressma, himself a protégé of Henry Holmes Smith and Minor White, it was profound and lasting experience. After that my professional development led to a Masters In Fine Art in Photography, followed by a 40 year vocational career in graphic design, art direction and finally the role of design director.

Film and video took over during this period where my visual skills were honed and applied as a Director of both film and photography. Looking through the lens at the flow of motion was captivating during this part of my career.

Visual direction in multi-faceted forms has taken me down a path that has circumnavigated the globe shooting both film and photography for corporations, nonprofits, NGOs and myself.

With 40+ years of Photography I remain committed to explore, to learn and to help others find their path to self-expression and documentation via photography. My newest body of work entitled Suiseki | Zen Water-Stone is a direct connection to not only my love of Japanese design and tradition, but to the work of Minor White who was a Zen practitioner in both his photography and his life.

A sequence of photographs is like a cinema of stills. The time and space between photographs filled by the beholder, first of all from himself, then from what he can read in the implications of design, the suggestions springing from treatment, and any symbolism that might grow from within the subject itself. - Minor White “ - Mirrors, Messages, Manifestations” by Minor White, Millerton, New York: Aperture, 1969.

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1100 Florence Gallery is an artist-run contemporary art space dedicated to showcasing artists in Evanston and the world. Events and art are curated by partners Lisa Degliantoni and Dave Ford. Learn more at 1100florence.com or reach out to Lisa at 1100florencegallery@gmail.com

Earlier Event: October 3
Exhibit: Julie Cowan: Lithographs
Later Event: November 4
Mail Art Exhibit and Fundraiser