Hello,

I see that Michael Kenna has a retrospective at Banbury, Oxfordshire from now until 4th March. (http://theonlinephotographer.blogspot.com/2007/01/michael-kenna-at-banbury-museum.html)

Has anyone been yet? What did you think?

He's probably my favourite contemporary photographer at the moment so I'll be making the 2 hour trip down the M40, but not for a few weeks yet.

Mike

I intend going, possibly this weekend, if the weather brightens, the ajoining canal should provide a photo-opportunity.

I intend going, possibly this weekend, if the weather brightens, the ajoining canal should provide a photo-opportunity.

Excellent -- can you let us know what's it like?

Cheers

Mike

I intend to make a trip there in the next few weeks as well. I'm sure it'll be worth it.

Thanks for the info. I take it that it is in the Tourist Information Centre in the Castle Quay Shopping Centre?

The wife goes there frequently. I'll try and persuade her to go to the Exhibition first. Then if I hold her hand tightly to stop her wandering off, I might be able to save some money.

Mind you holding her hand tightly about 39 yrs ago was the start of the trouble.

pentaxuser

Here's a link to the museum site.

http://www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk/banburymuseum/exhibitionsandevents.cfm

We visited the exhibition today and considered it well worth the effort of the journey; so much so that we brought the book! The pictures are nicely hung and lit, so are easy to view. The venue is good with a café on the ground floor selling good, reasonably priced food, and beverages. Banbury is directly off the M40, junction 11, and the museum is a short walk from the station, so it’s quite accessible.

Now I know it's at the Tourist Information Centre, I can add that there is a permanent small exhibition of the canal system with working models which might be interesting for the kids. You can also see the remains of Tooley's Boatyard which was a working canal boat repair yard.

Centre of Banbury is quite interesting for those with an inclination for photographing old buildings.

For those with a car, the town of Woodstock with its museum is about 30-40 mins away, right next to Blenheim Palace.

pentaxuser

pentaxuser.

Thanks Dave and pentaxuser.

Dave -- aren't his books a bit pricey? £50 or so? I brought his calendar this year which is really nice. £14 but very high quality printing and paper.

Unfortunately Woodstock is in the opposite direction to me -- I'd love to go to Blenheim, haven't been for years.

Cheers

Mike

We visited the exhibition today and considered it well worth the effort of the journey; so much so that we brought the book!

Dave - which book? I've been looking for a copy of The 20 yr Retrospective but it's been out of print. I'm thinking of making the trip so if it's available there that would be an additional incentive!

Dave - which book? I've been looking for a copy of The 20 yr Retrospective but it's been out of print. I'm thinking of making the trip so if it's available there that would be an additional incentive!


Richard,
Both “Retrospective” and “Twenty Year Retrospective” were available plus one on Japan, but I cannot remember which. Maybe you could get the museum shop phone number off their web site and give then a ring to ask, and even reserve one. I think they have been a little taken aback by the level of interest.

Richard,
Both “Retrospective” and “Twenty Year Retrospective” were available plus one on Japan, but I cannot remember which. Maybe you could get the museum shop phone number off their web site and give then a ring to ask, and even reserve one. I think they have been a little taken aback by the level of interest.

Thanks Dave - good idea. I'm currently thinking of tying a visit to the ex with one to Focus as it's a long way to go from here for just one event. I'd suggest a UK APUGgers meet at Focus but I rather suspect that like the last few years it will be 90% digital :rolleyes:

Thanks Dave - good idea. I'm currently thinking of tying a visit to the ex with one to Focus as it's a long way to go from here for just one event. I'd suggest a UK APUGgers meet at Focus but I rather suspect that like the last few years it will be 90% digital :rolleyes:

Only 90%, you must have found a good year!:)
Don't forget to squirt an ink jet at Les on the Harman stand. The Kenna exhibition will be the perfect foil to Focus.

The list of exhibitors at http://www.focus-on-imaging.co.uk shows there may be enough analogue or neutral stands to make a vist worthwhile. Think I'll hire a Burka so I'm not recognised when browsing the Adobe stand (actually, thinking on it, anyone who knows what I look like would not be fooled even by a head-to-toe cover-up)... Hmmm, Stowe Landscape Gardens is fairy close to Banbury.

I did once see a fine Lady riding a white horse near there: made a hell of a racket as she rode past a Celtic cross I was photographing. Sounded like Tubular Bells played through an iPod's earphones...

Cheers, Bob.

Tubular Bells; a fine suit of music, both 1 and 2. Good for rattling the dust off my enlarger.
Thermals may be required at Stowe this time of year, a touch exposed in parts, the gardens not you; but plenty of photographic interest there.

Bob. If you've already been to Stowe then nuff said. If not then well worth a visit or second or third.

pentaxuser

The only trouble with Stowe is that it has a National Trust’s jobs-worth on the gate who gives you the rubberhose treatment:mad: as to why-you-have-tripod-if-you-aren’t-professional-and-therefore-should-buy-a-photography-permit before you can get in.

The only trouble with Stowe is that it has a National Trust’s jobs-worth on the gate who gives you the rubberhose treatment:mad: as to why-you-have-tripod-if-you-aren’t-professional-and-therefore-should-buy-a-photography-permit before you can get in.Ha! We'll see what he has to say about my Shen Hao then: probably tell me I can't use a portable TV in the grounds... ;)

Cheers, Bob

Can't remember where it was, probably Norfolk, but I've been "jobs-worthed" before when the attendant or whatever seemed to think they had ownership over the queen's beach! They said something about protecting the habitat from publicity but I didn't even have a 600mm lens.

I am undecided about his work and would love to be able to go....but cannot. Would hope viewing his work up front and personal would help me figure out what it is that is at present stopping me from really liking what he does, or alternatively dispell such thoughts!

Another time :(

Fortunately we won’t all like his work, for it would be a dull world if we did, but pictorial quality, and content aside, I have had a valuable lesson in style, craftsmanship and presentation from viewing his work, which will affect my own for a long time to come.

If you're looking for Michael Kenna books and are finding it difficult, try Beyond Words, Scotland's only specialist photographic bookshop.

http://gecko1.co.uk/beyondwords/displaypage.aspx?p=./Static/HomeContent.html

They have a great stock of well known and lesser known stuff, and also have a webshop with mail order. It's a great shop, be sure to visit if you're in Edinburgh.

Cheers,
Gavin

If you're in London, any number of places off the Charing Cross Road will be only too happy to take your bees out of your Lucy -I usually go to Zwemmers, Borders or the Photogs Gallery Bookshop. The V+A one is good too. Or you could try Amazon.

This week's AP has half a dozen pages on him to tie in with the exhibition. It also has a free lens wrap, so they seem to be flying off the shelves!

Went there yesterday and got a few surprises. All prints are 7x7 inches but in large frames seem to be the right size. Each print effectively says the same" toned silver gelatin" but no mention of what the toner is. All are warm looking.

Skies are superb but of course highly manipulated.

Some are minimalist especially the Japanese study but not all. There is a study of the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn which is pure "industryscape".There are two of his books on a coffee table with comfortable seating so you can look at both the books and prints on the wall.

He can create pictures which grab you from what appears to be very little subject matter.

His books are on sale at the desk. There were I think three - all at £50 each

pentaxuser