MAKO MIYAMOTO – The Spectral Divide @ Stephanie Chefas Projects [PDX]
The Portland-based photographer utilizes a modified camera to explore infrared light in his latest solo exhibit which includes an accompanying short film
Back in 2015, we posted a preview for a photo exhibit by Portland, Oregon-based artist, Mako Miyamoto. Held at the Gauntlet Gallery in Los Angeles and titled Speculative Hunting, the solo show was a continuance of what Miyamoto‘s refers to as his “Neon Werewolf” series, which consists of subjects donning non-specific, yet elaborate, wokiee masks, while performing various activities. For that show, they were doing such things as busting moves in a skating rink, botching an armed heist, and participating in an oceanside martial arts battle. Taking/presenting photos of people in wacky masks can be a double-edged sword, something that will easily grab the attention of viewers, but that may stop short of “fine art” and fade off into amateurish gag territory. What pushed Mako‘s work further, for me, and prompted me to want to post about it, in the first place, was that I felt as if I was connecting to something deeper, something beyond that sillyness and thrived despite it, not because of it. One aspect that provided dimension to the show was the fact that it presented a handful of separate unfolding narratives, a few images at a time. More importantly, each of the pictures could operate independently of one another, while implying a larger narrative outside of themselves, like beautiful cinematic still images taken from some mysterious film. The contrast, color, and overall tone are the strength at the center of Miyamoto‘s photography and, with his brand new solo exhibit, these are areas that he explores more than ever, as well as pursuing a greater context and storyline within his work.
Titled The Spectral Divide, the artist’s latest exhibit finds him exploring brilliant, jarring tones within the spectrum of infrared light, and even includes a short film to accompany the images — or, is it the other way around? The following details come via the hosting gallery, Stephanie Chefas Projects, in Portland.
This November, Mako Miyamoto makes his highly anticipated return to Stephanie Chefas Projects with a new collection of work entitled The Spectral Divide. Inspired by the infrared light that exists just beyond the scope of one’s naked eye, the show pulls back the skin on a previously unseen world. It’s here in this desolate realm of infrared radiation–where colors like red and violet emanate with newfound warmth–that Miyamoto’s fully-realized figures roam. As the artist brings us deeper into this seemingly alien terrain, the adjoining sensations of fear, danger, bewilderment, and curiosity remain utterly palpable. Meanwhile, the familiarity of each landscape provides a jarring reminder that this world is indeed just one step removed from our own, brushing past us like waves in the dark.
Consisting of both photography and a short film, The Spectral Divide is over 10 months in the making. To create the work, Miyamoto shot exclusively on a modified camera, capturing the infrared spectrum of light, and thereby providing an authentic glimpse into the parallel world that surrounds us. The more one looks, the more one can feel the infrared heat emanating from the frame, or find him or herself lost in the stark wilderness. Never before has Miyamoto delivered such a tangible feeling as he does here. In fact, you may never think of reality the same way again.
If you’re going to be in the Portland area this month, we definitely recommend trying to pop in and catch this one in person. There’s not doubt that photos looking pretty fucking cool when you’re looking at them on the internet, but from what I’ve seen, there are some large striking images in this set and, in person, their brilliance appears to be almost alarming.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXEjo4nnD9W/?taken-by=nathan_mckee_art
Check out the film, along with a selection of images from the exhibit, below, after the following event details.
WHAT:
Mako Miyamoto
The Spectral Divide
[Solo exhibit]
WHEN:
Friday, November 2, 2018
through
Friday, November 30
WHERE:
Stephanie Chefas Projects –
305 SE 3rd Ave #202
Portland, OR 97214
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Opening is free and all ages
Gallery hours: Wed. – Sat. 1 – 6pm
To inquire about purchasing any of the works, contact info@stephaniechefasprojects
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/178425536409248/
