Tokyo - hanging gardens

Kath Fries, Tokyo hanging garden, 2011, photograph
My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program

Aso - views

Kath Fries, Aso view i, 2011, photograph
Kath Fries, Aso view ii, 2011, photograph
Kath Fries, Aso view iii, 2011, photograph
Kath Fries, Aso view iv, 2011, photograph
My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Aso - water

Kath Fries, Aso spring, 2011, photograph


From the crater of an ancient volcano
the most delicious water
springs from under the ground
bubbling to the surface
sustaining beautiful natural landscapes 
healthy agriculture and happy locals.
People travel for miles 
to slack their thirst 
at these traditional sources
of healing and cleansing.


Kath Fries, Aso water i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Aso water ii, 2011, photograph
My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Teshima - art island

Kath Fries, Teshima curl, 2011, photographer


Kath Fries, Teshima fence, 2011, photographer

Kath Fries, Teshima Art Museum cafe, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Teshima net, 2011, photograph


My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Naoshima - unravelling tree


Kath Fries, Naoshima unravelling tree i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Naoshima unravelling tree ii, 2011, photograph
My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and the ArtStart grant program.

Naroshima - architecture details

Kath Fries, Naroshima - architecture details ii, 2011, photograph
On Naroshima art island
Tadao Ando's fabulous architecture
was breath-taking
and the contemporary artworks were astounding

But it was the small details of nature 
against vast minimalist concrete surfaces 
that drew my lens

Kath Fries, Naroshima - architecture details i, 2011, photograph
My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Kyoto - rope and wood

Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood i, 2011, photograph
Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood ii, 2011, photograph
Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood iii, 2011, photograph
Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood iv, 2011, photograph
Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood v, 2011, photograph
Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood vi, 2011, photograph
Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood vii, 2011, photograph
Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood viii, 2011, photograph
My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Kyoto - bandaged trees


Kath Fries, Kyoto bandaged tree i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto bandaged tree ii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto bandaged tree iii, 2011, photograph


Kath Fries, Kyoto bandaged tree iv, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto bandaged tree v, 2011, photograph
My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Kyoto - stones and moss

Kath Fries, Kyoto meticulous gardening i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto moss shadow i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto moss shadow ii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto stone's throw, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto meticulous gardening ii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto encroaching shadows i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto moss shadow iii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto encroaching shadows ii, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Kyoto - lotus ponds

 
Kath Fries, Kyoto lotus pond i, 2011, photograph 
Kath Fries, Kyoto lotus pond ii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto lotus pond iii, 2011, photograph



Kath Fries, Kyoto lotus pond iv, 2011, photograph



















My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.


Koyasan - temple gardens

Kath Fries,  Koyasan - rock garden and pine needles i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Koyasan - rock garden and pine needles ii, 2011, photograph

Koyasan serene mountain temple town
housing meticulously maintained gardens
inviting calm contemplation
offering glimpses of ways 
to patiently approach 
an understanding 
of transience and existence

Kath Fries, Koyasan - Mottled wall, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Koyasan - fringe of moss and sand, 2011, photograph


Kath Fries, Koyasan - message stick, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Koyasan - tree brace i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Koyasan - tree brace ii, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Koyasan - Okunoin cemetery


Kath Fries, Okunoin trees and headstones, 2011, photograph

Cradled high in the misty mountains 
is the secluded temple town of Koyasan.
At the eastern end of which
encased in mossy peaceful shadows
lies the expansive Okunoin cemetery.
A revered and sacred site
marking both the beginning and the end 
of an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage, 
like the ensō circular nature of existence.

Kath Fries, Okunoin giant tree brace, 2011, photograph


Kath Fries, Okunoin hollow tree and stones, 2011, photograph




Kath Fries, Okunoin miniature world, 2011, photograph
 (the bib was placed on the tiny Buddhist deity statue
in a prayer ritual relating to child mortality)

Kath Fries, Okunoin fallen tree and headstones, 2011, photograph


Kath Fries, Okunoin spider webs, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin logs ringed with moss, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin charcoaled fence, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin growth rings and wishing coins, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin weight of time, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin void, 2011, photograph


My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.