Photo Tableaux

The artist duo BLECHMEKI (a portmanteau of their names, Max Blechman and Kazu Umeki) uses mass-produced American pottery from the 1930s to 1980s to create photo tableaux of stunning simplicity and beauty. At first glance, individual pieces of pottery – such as vases or figurines – appear identical, but closer inspection reveals subtle and captivating variations in form and color. By applying geometric composition protocols to photograph these objects, BLECHMEKI’s work compels the viewer to consider them in ways that transcend their commonplace origins.


The Artists

Max Blechman

After spending the first five months of his life in Brooklyn, NY, Max spent the rest of his childhood in the Five Towns of Long Island, New York. After a pleasant childhood, he went to the midwest to study. There, he received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

After college, he spent 15 years in Manhattan, immersed in the 60’s - 70’s burgeoning art scene and other cultural phenomena of that particular venue and time. Eventually, he traveled to the West Coast to visit his brother and was seduced by San Francisco — its beauty, size, climate and thriving culture — so, later that year, he moved to California for good.

Apart from his art and architectural disciplines, he also has a literary bent: He’s written screen plays, poems and short essays. He also likes Netflix, HBO, films in general, good food, travel and The New York Times crossword puzzle, which he does daily only from Wednesday through Sunday.

Some of his other photography works are posted on his portfolio webpage.

Kazu Umeki

Kazu spent his early years in Tokyo. As a child, he had a passion for collecting pebbles from nearby hills and streams. He was fascinated by the unique colors and patterns revealed when he brushed water onto them. The world in front of him was filled with natural beauties. He moved to Massachusetts to attend prep school, and subsequently obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD.) He also received Award of Excellence in design at RISD. His design inspirations often come from the nature and closer studies of natural phenomena.

Besides photography, he enjoys exploring outdoors, painting, drawing, architecture, digital media, and having beers with friends on weekends. More of his work is found at his other websites:


kazuumeki.com
studioumeki.com


The Pottery Collection

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FAQs

When did you, Max, first start collecting pottery?

In 1980, I worked for Johnny Jupiter, a what-not, vintage collectible store on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, which was owned by a friend of mine, Paul Toner.

So your collection dated from then?

No. At the store, I first became aware of collectibles — everything from pottery to vintage toasters. It was only when I moved from New York City to San Francisco that I began to seriously collect. So 1985 would be the true start of “the collection.”

Why did you start collecting pottery, instead of some other collectible, such as watches, coins or stamps?

I like the way the individual pieces look and, strangely enough, feel. And I like the way many almost identical pieces, when placed together in sub-collections, look even better.

You mentioned you liked the way the pottery feels. How so?

Certain pieces have a silkiness that is quite pleasing to the touch. It’s mostly the matte pieces, not the glossy ones.

Why did you say ‘almost’ identical objects? Isn’t this pottery factory made?

That’s one of the joys and discoveries I made early on. Even though this pottery is factory made in molds, there are oftentimes dissimilar pieces, varying by noticeable differences, when placed together in a row. I find this fascinating because it shows the variation in something that is supposed to be fixed.

Where did you first find these pieces?

In the Bay Area, at the Marin City flea market, collectible/antique stores, garage and yard sales.

What happened when you discovered eBay?

My collection exploded. Suddenly I could buy my pottery from all over the country, not just locally. Now eBay is the source of 99% of my collecting. Even so, I still occasionally peruse antique or collectible stores. Who knows what might be waiting on a dusty shelf in the back for me?

Living in San Francisco, aren’t you afraid that earthquakes will ultimately destroy your collection?

I try to make sure the important (or dangerous, should they fall) pieces are protected as best I can. In the earthquake in 1989, when the collection was in its infancy, I only lost a dozen pieces. In any massive quake, where the walls in my home will crumble, all will be lost, but short of that, the collection will survive due to earthquake putty, shelf rails, etc.

How do you dust all the pieces?

I don’t. I only dust when I am moving (and therefore, touching) the pieces. It’s only then that fingerprints and dust show. They do, however, look much better when they are sparkling, but who has the time for that sort of housework?

Are all the pieces manufactured by the same company?

No. I collect several different brands — Catalina, West Coast, Camark, Shawnee, Red Wing, Zanesville, Coors, to name but a few.