Kenro Izu's new book " Bhutan"

[Hugo Zhang]

Several years ago, in his pt/pd workshop, Kerik Kouklis introduced me to the ravishingly beautiful prints of Kenro Izu. I have bought all his books since. The newest addition is "Bhutan" which I received last week. For the past few days, I could not get the images from that book out of my mind. He is among the few artists who touches my heart deeply.

For those who don't know much about him, here is an interview he did a few years ago.

http://www.pem.org/izu/interview_text.html

[QT Luong]

What's your favorite among all of his books and why ?

[Richard K.]

And don't you know you shouldn't post books you like because I'll just go and order a couple right away?!? :o

[Jim Noel]

I had the privilege of viewing the originals for this book last summer. Izu displays them in frames without glass so all of the radiant beauty comes through. If you ever get such a chance you will se that the best printed books do not do his work justice.
The originals are truly stunning.

[Jan Pedersen]

Hugo,
Thank you for the link. Can't wait to get the book Bhutan.

[Pete Roody]

Kenro's Bhutan exhibit was shown twice this past winter in nyc (Rubin Museum and the Howard Greenerg Gallery) and i was lucky enough to see them both. I had a chance to speak with him at the Rubin and he said the images were taken over a 6 year period (1 trip per year). Turning a 30# 14x20 Deardorff banquet camera vertical for the portraits must have been tough. His 14x20 pt/pd contact prints blow away the repros in the book. Howard Greenberg sells his prints. http://www.howardgreenberg.com/

[Hugo Zhang]

QT,

Bhutan is my favorite among his books for the following reasons:

1. It has some incredible portraits. Izu is such a master of light that some portraits in this books remind me of old Dutch painters like Rembrandt and Vermeer.

2. Bhutan is almost like a fairy tale frozen in time where three generations live under one roof happily and children walk two hours to their school each way and there are very few crimes under the rule of monarchy. Light and shadow, peace and tranquility. A country with a GDP under $1,000 and a paradise on earth in Izu's eyes. I could feel his intense and loving gaze in each of the pictures. The white mountain peaks and flapping prayer flags keep me thinking of the magic world of Zembla invented by that delusive Kinbote.

3. Izu's still life, nudes and temples are all quite beautiful, but with this book he gives me a glimpse of a living world so rich, so full of life and so enchanting. It keeps me dreaming.:)

I really want to see the pt/pd prints of this book someday. I can just imagine the details I have missed in this book.

I would also like to vist Bhutan someday where business hours are 10AM-1PM.:)

Hugo

[Tintype Bob]

I had the great fortune of having dinner with Kenro last spring, he came to Lexington KY. to do a talk on his work. My wife is the Curator of Photography for the Univerisity Of Kentucky Art Museum. He gave me a copy of his book "Passage to Angkor" the prints are breath taking.

Not only is he a WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHER and Printer, he also started an orginization called "Friends Without A Border" this is an orginization that provides medical needs to the countries most in need and also builds Hospitals in very needy areas. www.fwab.org

He was also one of the most humble men i ever met.

[QT Luong]

The book was sold out from the publisher :-(, but I've been told a second printing is on the way.