"Working initially in Japan and then further afield in Asia reaffirmed for me what many artists, such as Albers, Brandt and Rothko, had already taught me: it is not necessary, or even desirable, to fill a rectangle with details. This white field of snow, shaded from grey to white, invites me, and I hope other viewers, to wander into its open expanse, leaving our foot prints and other tracks behind, before gazing into the distance where a magical mountain appears, floating on the horizon, almost as a mirage. On the right, black trees mark the edge of a forest, suggesting a whole other point of departure. Photography records and describes, but also interprets and invites. As the world continues to spin faster and faster, I increasingly prefer to spend time away from screens, crowds and buildings, out in nature. If that is not possible, I can at least look at artworks made ion these places and get lost in my imagination."
~ Michael Kenna
Michael's reflection captures a beautiful tension between simplicity and expansiveness in art, and it’s so true—sometimes the most profound compositions are those that leave space, inviting us to wander in with our own imaginations. I love that he describes the white snow field as an invitation, one that lets us pause. Thank you for sharing this reminder of the value in slowing down, both in art and in life.
