Wildlife Beyond Borders Comes To The Art Ark Gallery
WILDLIFE BEYOND BORDERS – FROM BEAUTY TO DEEPER UNDERSTANDING TO OPEN AT ART ARK GALLERY, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA ON JUNE 3, 2016
© 2016 Oliver Klink – Javeena and Ganesha 1
Wildlife Beyond Borders, a photographic exhibit by nine artists showing their passion for protecting the world’s animals, will open with over 100 images on display at the Art Ark Gallery, 1035 S. 6th Street, San Jose, California, with a reception by the artists on June 3 (5 – 9PM).
The images show animals in their natural state. The nine artists have spent years photographing animals in many parts of the world to express their deep conviction that animals need to be protected against the onslaught of human activity. The animals are in danger. The images in the exhibition are not only great photographs but also communicate that we need to act to protect them.
Unless we act, many of these animals will cease to exist and our children, or our children’s children, will never experience the awe of seeing an elephant in the forest or a crane in migration. By portraying horses, polar bears, harp seals, swans, songbirds, African cats, sharks, other marine animals and more, Wildlife Beyond Borders seeks to use the images to encourage us all to act.
The exhibit started September 2015 at the PhotoCentral Gallery in Hayward, has since traveled to Palo Alto, and been seen by over 3,000 people. A set of new images will be on display at the Art Ark Gallery, showing never seen before: fish eagles, chimpanzees, an underwater mix of “wildlife and landscape”, one of the 15 remaining species of cranes in the world, dreamscape scenes with horses, and the bond between humans and Indian elephants.
The exhibit has an audio/video feature, known as augmented reality. The viewer points their smartphone at an image and hears the artist deliver a message about their work, their passion, and how they felt when they photographed their subjects. This feature is free to all visitors.
All images are for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting various organizations protecting wildlife.
Private guided tours of the exhibit can be organized upon request. Please submit inquiries to the curator, Oliver Klink. For additional information on events, gallery opening hours, go to the official website.
The exhibit will be on display until July 17, 2016.
The exhibiting artists are:
Oliver Klink (Los Gatos), Susan Carnahan (Menlo Park), Mary Aiu (Fairfield), Mike Miller (Portola Valley), Marian Davidson (Portola Valley), Wendy Hannum (San Rafael), Robin V. Robinson (Carmel), Bruce Finocchio (Castro Valley), Jim Codington (Sonoma)
To Register for the Reception–click on the following link:
http://wildlifebeyondbordersartark.eventbrite.com
They Know … We Know!
They Know … We Know!
By Oliver Klink
My first visit to Africa was in 1986. The purpose of the trip was to share and exchange idea with university students in Abidjan (the capital of Ivory Coast), understand their living conditions, and listen to their views of the future. Ivory Coast was booming, their president Hufuet Buani was one of the richest men on earth, the country was one of the largest consumers of champagne in the world. Bargaining power could get you any luxury goods, handbags, sunglasses, jewelry, and even ivory. I was very naïve and traded my Swiss watch for a carved ivory statuette. The craftsmanship was amazing; the story told mesmerizing; I basically fell in love with the beauty of the masterpiece. What I didn’t know at that point was where the material came from. Beauty blinded me from the harsh reality that animals’ lives could have been taken.
Twenty years later, I returned to Africa to witness the beauty of wildlife. I took over 20,000 images of lions, zebras, giraffes, the great migration, elephants, and more. I was “gunning” to get the best shot in the best light, the actions, sometimes gruesome, which depict the harsh reality of the circle of life in Africa. But the image that stood out was a baby elephant (about 2 months old), which was led towards my jeep under his mom’s watchful eye. Once again, I was blinded by the beauty of a masterpiece, but this time live animals were at the center stage.
For my latest project, “Portrait of an Elephant”, my goal is to nurture beauty to get the viewer to a deeper understanding of their life, their whereabouts, their struggles. I was very fortunate to witness the birth of an elephant in the wild. To my big surprise the entire herd left the pregnant mom behind at the mercy of the predators. She fought for the life of her young, chasing away hyenas; jackals, eagles and she prevailed (for the visual story, check out the aurasma video tagged to “Shadow Me!”). That memorable episode wasn’t about beauty it was truly about the deeper understanding of elephant lives.
The herd knew that the newborn would survive. I knew that I had gotten a masterpiece with the baby elephant in 2006. So what about the ivory statuette in 1986? Deep inside I felt that it was too good of a deal to get a masterpiece carved ivory. So I knew that something was odd … and the good news the material was plaster!
Hear more from Oliver about his love of Elephants at the Wildlife Beyond Borders Reception on April 16th at Keeble and Shuchat Gallery, 290 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Register at this link for the 1:00 PM VIP Event and Reception.
Wildlife Beyond Borders: Taken for Granted
Article by Bruce Finocchio
Taken For Granted
Taken for granted are the sounds of nature, bird songs in the morning’s dawn, the whispers of the wind gently touching your face, and the powerful smell of raw wilderness. These are a few of the healing and soothing gifts of the natural world.
Too often today, we have divorced ourselves from nature. This loss of connection has sent us adrift. Most of us are ill without even knowing it. There is so much nature can bestow upon us if we accept its gifts and live close to it. A timeless peace, a sense of harmony and balance, and a belief in the essential goodness of life are a few of the benefits of living with nature.
I have a friend who is a morning person. He would get up very early before dawn and prepare some coffee on the gas burning stove at the cabin we shared. Then, he would go outside with his cup of coffee and wait for dawn to break and watch the day begin. He would listen to the birds’ songs begin as the night passed to day, as the darkness faded minute by minute. This simple act gave him peace and rid him of the anxiety created by life in the modern world. I treasured sharing these moments with him; they became part of my early exposure to tranquil powers of the wild.
We shared another passion. He fueled my desire to learn about the birds whose calls we heard, to distinguish one from another, to learn their calls by heart, and discover their unique behavior of each individual species. I started my first species list. The mysterious California Thrasher whose spring calls from the tops of the chamise bushes first intrigued us became the first species on the list.
Yet, at some point keeping a list was not enough, nor was just taking their pictures. After a few years, I took my creative passion to capturing their beauty, their very essence, and their spirit of life. I now have gone a step further with my art and my photography to capturing the sacredness of life itself.
In this way, I can share this sacredness of nature with others. Through my images, they can glimpse within their hearts and minds the mystery and wonder of the natural world–regenerating the strings that once connected and attached them to the earth. They can learn not to take it for granted, the morning serenade of bird songs, and again become part of the sacred circle of life itself.
Here with my Wildlife Beyond Borders collection of bird images, I hope to ignite the love of birds, spark feelings of marvel in their brilliant colors, and open people’s hearts to their unique world. Wherever we are in our daily life we must listen, and not take nature’s gestures for granted, for bird songs are windows into the natural world.
Some may say this is the fanciful thinking of an idealistic dreamer. Yet, I believe in the power of nature to heal, comfort and soothe the human soul. All my life experiences with nature have led me to know this truth.
Come to the Wildlife Beyond Borders reception at Keeble and Shuchat and learn more. Meet my fellow artists Mary Aiu, Susan Carnahan, Diane Rebman, Wendy Hannum, and Oliver Klink. Reception is Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Keeble and Shuchat, 290 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
To register for the VIP at 1:00 PM and/or Main Event click register link below
Register for VIP Opening Reception Event – April 16 (1-2PM)
Join the 6 photographers (Oliver Klink, Bruce Finocchio, Diana Rebman, Wendy Hannum, Mary Aiu) at the VIP Opening reception event.
You will hear about their new projects and thoughts on wildlife around the world.
Date: April 16, 2016
Time: 1-2PM (Public reception: 2 – 5PM)
Location: Keeble & Shuchat Gallery, 290 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA (Directions)
REGISTRATION (Free, Limited Seatings)
Hope to see you on April 16.
Oliver Klink
Meet Wildlife Beyond Borders Local Artist and Photographer Susan Carnahan
Meet Wildlife Beyond Borders Local Artist and Photographer Susan
(Her Journey From Lawyer To A “Craniac”)
Sandhill Cranes
Susan Carnahan, a former managing attorney at Hewlett-Packard, has been photographing for over thirty years. Her award-winning photographs have been exhibited in California, Washington, New York, Vermont, and several venues in Russia.
Upon her retirement in 2002, Susan began to study digital photography at Foothill College. However, she did not abandon her film camera for a serious digital camera until a chance trip to Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan, in 2007. There, her love of Asian art and in particular, the Red-crowned crane, transformed Susan’s art when she saw and photographed these cranes for the first time.
“ I was amazed at the grace and beauty of these birds; I watched them rise at dawn from their river roost, dance in the snow, and fly in together at nightfall. I was disheartened to discover that ten of the fifteen crane species are endangered. I soon became a “craniac”, passionate about helping the cranes. I also learned about the herculean conservation efforts of the International Crane Foundation and vowed to photograph all fifteen crane species.”
“Cranes are ambassador or umbrella species. Protecting the cranes’ habitats will protect all of the other species residing in the wetlands and marshes where the cranes breed and roost.”
“My goal is to evoke wonder at the spirit and elegance of the cranes and raise awareness that these birds, celebrated in art and revered as sacred, are now at risk. They depend on us for their continued survival.”
Susan has photographed the Sandhill crane in the California Delta, New Mexico, and Nebraska and traveled twice to the intercoastal waterways of Texas to photograph the rare Whooping crane. She has accompanied the International Crane Foundation to China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea to photograph the Red-crowned, Siberian and White-nape cranes. Susan will be photographing Demoiselle and White-naped cranes with ICF this summer, in Mongolia.
Website: www.susancarnahan.com
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/susancarnahan
Learn more about Susan and her art from her personally at the Wildlife Beyond Reception at Keeble and Shuchat Gallery on Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 2:00 PM to 5.00 PM.
The Wildlife Beyond Borders show runs from April 13 to May 11, 2016 at Keeble and Shuchat, 290 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
Participating Artists: Mary Aiu, Susan Carnahan, Wendy Hannum, Oliver Klink, Diana Rebman, and Bruce Finocchio
Wildlife Beyond Borders Video
Check out this video from the Wildlife Beyond Borders Artists!
Going Beyond Beauty to A Deeper Understanding!
Previously at Photo Central Gallery and Now coming to Keeble and Shuchat Camera store in Palo Alto beginning April 13, 2016, to May 11, 2016, with a reception on Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
“Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall all be saved”. — Jane Goodall
Animal Lives Matter!
Animal Lives Matter!
I believe animals should be respected as citizens of this earth. They should have the right to their own freedom, their own families, and their own life. — John Feldmann
Animals should not require our permission to live on earth. Animals were given the right to be here long before we arrived. – Anthony Douglas Williams
On Ice Flow
Not only do artists of Wildlife Beyond Borders love wildlife. We know that wildlife lives matter, because we share so much of own lives with them, observing them, and learning from them.
How can you not have your heart touched by a two young gorillas in the arms of their mother? Feel for a young helpless snowy white harp seal pup alone on the ice waiting for its mother and her milk? In the field, to see and feel their lives is to see and feel a connection with your own.
As the threatened polar bear struggles to survive with less and less winter sea ice, and as other endangered species come closer to the brink of extinction. In Africa as ninety-six elephants are killed each and every day; we inherently know that their loss of life is our loss and that individual animals do matter.
Animals and man are bound together on earth, mere strands in the web of life, on this incredible blue planet whirling through the great infinity of space. Our place isn’t to dominate; it is not to be lords of the planet. It is to live in harmony with animals, respecting all life, with a revenant attitude, a set of ethics, and a belief in equality.
In essence, our lives and their lives are entwined; the future of life on earth depends on this mutual respect. Without them, there is no hope for a joyful future for our children, our children’s children, and all those who come after us.
Don’t miss Wildlife Beyond Borders exhibit at Keeble & Shuchat Gallery (April 13 – May 11). You’ll discover how six photographers are going beyond beauty, to artistically capturing the mysterious expressions of life.
Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall all be saved. — Jane Goodall
This is only the 5th reported set of twins in Mountain Gorillas.
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Nikon D7000, Nikon 70-200 f2.8 lens@70mm, f5, 1/160 sec, ISO 1600, -0.3 EXP compensation, handheld
After a particularly arduous hike through dense forest, up and down the side of a slippery,steep ravine, in the rain, the mountain gorillas finally settled down to eat nettles. As I was photographing this mother with her twins, the silverback chased her off so that he could eat from the nettles she had chosen. She vocalized loudly but moved on to a new spot. In this photo, you can feel her tension as she glances sideways at the silverback. The twins appear blissfully unaware of the conflict.
Press Release: Wildlife Beyond Borders Exhibition Is Traveling
Wildlife Beyond Borders Exhibition Is Traveling
From the East Bay to Mid-Peninsula—From Photo Central to Keeble & Shuchat!
The glue that binds these artists exhibiting in Wildlife Beyond Borders lies in an evolution of thought and practice. Each has answered the question of what matters, what is important and what is worth doing by looking outside the human condition. One was a lawyer, one a doctor, another one was once a cattle ranch manager, and one was even a hunter – they now share a common goal, concern, and love for wildlife.”
New location: Keeble and Shuchat. 290 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Dates: From April 13, 2016, to May 11, 2016
Reception: April 16, 2016, 2:00 to 5:00 PM (Free Event)
Artists: Oliver Klink, Wendy Hannum, Diana Rebman, Mary Aiu, Susan Carnahan, and Bruce Finocchio
Come to the April 16 reception and meet the artists personally and hear their stories of inspiration, share their passion for wildlife, and learn more about their creative processes.
Meet Artist and Photographer: Mary Aiu
Recently artist Mary Aiu gave an interview to Rfotofolio.org. Full text of Mary’s Interview “Into the Woods with Mary Aiu” can be found at http://rfotofolio.org/2016/01/10/in-the-woods-with-mary-aiu/
Here is an excerpt:
Would you tell us about yourself?
I am a California native and live on a ranch in a beautiful part of Northern California with an array of animal friends. My life was greatly influenced by my father, a second-generation cattle rancher, so I grew up around ranching, horses, and the love of the land. After high school, I pursued my dreams of artistic visions and attended the California College of the Arts, receiving a BFA with a concentration in Photography and Ceramics.
Fast forward through the next 20+ years: career, mother, wife, and later, helping manage my father’s cattle ranch, were responsibilities that took precedence over my need to create. Despite my background in the arts, I never felt comfortable being called an artist, as I felt there was a great deal of grunt work yet to do, to master the materials and the connection of the medium with my inner self. So without the luxury of time to devote to refining craft, I just dabbled. However, in the back of my mind, I felt that someday, my time would come – which it did.
On The Run
What draws you to working with horses?
I have always felt that if you’re passionate about your subject matter, it will show through in your work. A few years ago, I made a decision to choose a subject that would lend itself to becoming a body of work. Having great admiration for the horse and being an owner of a couple of them myself, the subject choice was an easy one. From photographing partnerships and interactions we have with the horse under-saddle, to finding beauty or story within a portrait, this journey has led me to an even deeper understanding and love for the horse. But what really pulls on my heart strings is to be able to witness through my camera the unbridled beauty of the horse in motion. It’s as if I were watching a dance, with each horse displaying their own unique flair of power or grace. It is so pure, watching a horse be a horse!
More of Mary’s artwork can be found on her website at http://maryaiu.com/
- The exhibit is enabled with a technology called “Augmented Reality” to enhance the user experience. When the viewer points their smart device at an image, behind the scene stories created by the artist starts playing. The viewer gets to know the artist, listen to relevant messages related to conservation, and discover what it takes to be a wildlife photographer. The technology is free of charge and doesn’t require any setups.
Text of Mary Aiu’s rfotofolio.org interview printed here with permission, copyrighted and all rights reserved by Mary Aiu and rfotofolio.com
Wildlife Beyond Borders – Keeble and Shuchat Gallery
About Wildlife Beyond Borders
Wildlife Beyond Borders is a photography exhibition that shows animals in their natural state. By traveling the world, waiting patiently for the perfect moment, and extensively researching their subjects, the eleven Bay Area artists have created deeply felt photographs. Their images take us to a transcendent understanding moving beyond mere fascination to a level of personal understanding. This is essential to saving what could so easily be lost and inspiring all of us to work to preserve all life on our precious planet.
Wildlife species represented are gorillas, lemurs, horses, elephants, cranes, polar bears, harp seal, swans, song birds, underwater world, and more.
The exhibit is enabled with a technology called “Augmented Reality” to enhance the user experience. When the viewer point their smart device at an image, behind the scene stories created by the artist starts playing. The viewer gets to know the artist, listen to relevant messages related to conservation, and discover what it takes to be a wildlife photographer. The technology is free of charge an doesn’t require any setups.
The eleven artists exhibiting are:
Diana Rebman (Berkeley), Oliver Klink (Los Gatos), Susan Carnahan (Menlo Park), Mary Aiu (Fairfield), Mike Miller (Portola Valley), Marian Davidson (Portola Valley), Wendy Hannum (San Rafael), Robin V. Robinson (Carmel), Bruce Finocchio (Castro Valley), Susan Hillyard (Santa Cruz), Jim Codington (Sonoma).
Oliver Klink Curator of the group show
“Ultimately, Wildlife Beyond Borders is about showing animals in their natural state of being. The goal is to preserve this state for generations to come. By spending time in nature, learning about the environment, sharing awareness with our peers, we all contribute greatly to preserving what we have today for tomorrow”, writes Oliver Klink.
Announcement: 55Inches to Open at The Village Center Gallery, Danville (March 11, 2016)
