Page 16 - Art-in-Israel

Basil C. Frank
by Hiroyuki Nakatsuka In this sense, opinions are likely to emerge that, from a
Chief Curator, Cultural Affairs Division
conservative viewpoint, do not readily recognize these
Osaka Prefecture Government
photographic and other technology-based works as constituting
prints per se. Such opinions are exemplified by the remarks of Mr.
I must confess that I was slightly bewildered when the Z. Krzisnik at the Osaka Triennial 1991-Print, who stated that he
photographic work of Israeli competitor Mr. Frank was chosen for would prefer to see unadulterated examples of prints being
the Grand Prize. My reaction was caused by the fact that this is promoted for major prizes in a print competition rather than
after all a purely photographic work. Since the rules governing monotypes. Another typical comment came from Mr. W.S.
entry to this Osaka Triennial 1997-Print stipulated only “print,” Lieberman at the Osaka Trainable 1994-Print, who said that a
with no restrictions on type (indicating that monotype and photograph does not constitute a print and that we need to draw
photographic works were also acceptable) or techniques and a sharp line between the nature of a photograph and the nature
materials employed, there can be no room for objecting to the of a print. I believe that we would do well to recall such
fact that a photographic work not only qualified and won a prize, assertions.
but also succeeded in securing the Grand Prize. In addition to the
work in question, there was a great diversity of works, which, What is more, the background of the creator of this work, along
besides a notable photographic contribution, also included with his own comments and other considerations, leads us to the
monotype and hand-colored works, digital prints, ink-jet prints, conclusion that this work is not so much a print as what can be
CG prints, color copying, and combinations of these techniques, termed “photographic sculpture.” In other words, this work is
among other forms. For all that, works using these techniques neither a print incorporating photographic material nor a purely
would tend to expand the concept that so-called “prints” are photographic form of expression produced by a photographer. We
constituted by the orthodox media of woodcut, lithography, would be more justified in viewing it as a piece of photographic
copperplate, and the like. sculpture produced by an artist schooled in sculpture and with an

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