Couple's rambles through Japan yield artistic rewards

By Victoria Gail-White
Advertiser Art Critic

•	Recent Work: The Rambler's Rewards Photography by Paul K. Kodama and ceramics by Marie Y. Kodama Through Aug. 1 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays bibelot gallery 738-0368

"I am a traditionalist," said Paul, "I still work with film in a regular darkroom." After 25 years, he still finds solace and magic in developing his photographs.

"There is no comparison to having it come out of a printer," he said. "It's a challenge when an image works right. So many components have to fit — composition, exposure, a scene with potential and then the processing of the film and printing. But it continues to pay me back for the effort that I put into it, and it keeps me interested."

Shrines and bicycle spokes dominate his selection of black-and-white images. The jizos (small stones or statues representing Buddhist deities) photographed in "Soul Survivor" and "Jizo at Eiho-ji" have eroded to gnome-like appearance. Dramatic use of light and shadow in the beach photograph "Tottori Stroll" and "Shattered Wall, Nikko" have abstract and impressionistic painterly qualities. "Sun Salutation" is inspiringly bittersweet. A man on a pedestrian overpass stares at the glow as the light of the sun is reflected in the skyscrapers surrounding him.

"It took me 20 minutes to take that photograph," said Paul. "People were constantly coming across the overpass. Candid photography takes anticipation of what might happen. I am learning to be more patient and to recognize situations where something might happen."

Marie, known for her whimsical low-fire ceramics and 20 years of experience working with clay, has taken her study of Japanese ikebana flower arranging to another level: anti-ikebana.

Her series of "Kenzan" vases don't hide the anchor that holds the flowers in place (a component of traditional ikebana). Fence-like structures emerging from shallow, dish-like vases show an innovative mind and a vase ready for a few flower stalks and greenery.

"Hairballs," "Siloettes" and "O'bjet de Curiosite" figure into her witty ceramic interpretations of daily life. The 8- to 10-inch hand-built, latticed clay hairballs were inspired by her cat who, coughs them up regularly.

Her Grafting Series ("The Orange Tree Died Suddenly," "Buds New Growth," "Saloon Pilot" and "Endangered Species") show a playful, alliance of dissimilar branch-like sculptures into a beautiful statement about humanity.

"The world is so fragile. Insecurity has crept into our lives, and things will never be the same again," Marie said. These pieces are about creating a new life.