The architectural setting constructed and the music written just for the show immediately put the viewer in a tranquil Zen-like mood, perfect for what is in store. It looks at symbolic representations of universal human relationships as expressed by the ancient art of wood joinery, a lost art now that Japan has succumbed to Western ways of construction. Yokoyama revitalizes this art form, which unites different woods into one whole without hardware or glue. German artist Stephan Balkenhol creates sculptures from single blocks of wood. He chips and carves away at the raw material and what emerges is an expressive figure or animal form.
Skin usually remains the color of the wood.
John Miller has been painting the same linear element over and over again in his work for years. In the current exhibition, Ritual , the methodical process of his work is clear. He paints a small diagonal line either in dark red or white upon the raw canvas and then repeats this line, only varying its direction. The resulting patterns and rhythms are both beautiful and awe inspiring. In Jo Ann Callis ' paintings of dogs each animal displays his or her distinct personality.