Kevin Myazaki
by David Kieckhefer
Kevin Myazaki first shared with us his commerce work “Until
Now” by discussing the idea of ‘art vs commerce.’ He began his career in
photojournalism, working for a newspaper. Most of his work consisted of
portraiture and what he refers to as “calm images.” Myazaki also spent time
doing food photography. His shoots for restaurants were like how he shoots
portraits, soft light and simple. Additionally, he did travel photography and
has been to 20 countries. His time in Cuba was such an adjustment. There were
so few cell phones, and people all over playing dominoes. He felt it was much
more “peaceful and calm.”
Moving on to his art he makes for himself, Myazaki shared
with us “Early Places,” a body of work that was shot in the home he grew up on
and his mom has lived for over fifty years. He thinks of these photos as a
record to preserve his memories. For this series, he used a 4 x 5 camera.
Myazaki started “FAST(FOOD)” in 2004 by photographing closed
fast food architecture. He was interested in the corporate design, logos, and
shapes that made them recognizable.
What is Home? Part 2 is a body of work about his father and
the removal of Japanese American citizens from the west coast and being
relocated to camps. There were only four photos of his family during the war
time. His “American Dream” Sears catalog is his own version of a “Sears kit
home” where he uses satire to address a terrible event in American history. “A
guide to Modern Camp Homes” Myazaki uses sarcasm, but it is in fact very
factual.
After his lecture was over, I stayed late and received a
free copy of Myazaki’s book, Perimeter, a contemporary portrait of Lake
Michigan through portraits of people.
