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Contemporary & Modern Artists
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Heian
Compositions by Seiju Toda
Introduction by Vicki Goldberg All the creatures were alive and well when photographed but under almost any circumstance unlikely to sit still long enough to have their portraits made.
Intriguing. Amusing. Tranquil. Pure. Inspired by performance art and by the power of “subtraction” to find absolute beauty, Seiju Toda created a series of 33 compositions called “Heian,” the name of a period of courtly sophistication and nostalgic sentiment and composed of two ideographs, one signifying peace and the other, serenity. In a meticulous process that took several years, Toda both assembled the pieces using plain wood and living creatures—birds, fish, insects, reptiles—and directed the photography with careful consideration for the natural elements. The result is a work of art unto itself; designed by the artist, printed on beautiful paper, the images capture such simple means, materials, and living creatures that they arouse in viewers an awareness of environmental problems and the need for peace and the continuation of life. Seiju Toda, a leading art director and graphic designer in Japan, is a recognized artist with more than 20 solo exhibitions in the U.S. and Japan. He resides in Japan. Vicki Goldberg is a distinguished art critic and lives in New York City.
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