For Immediate Release Contact: Carol O’Sullivan

Dec. 16, 2009 412-681-5449

Filmmakers Announces Photography Exhibit

by Kaoru Tohara

(Pittsburgh, PA) – Filmmakers Galleries presents a photography exhibit, The City Within by Pittsburgh-based artist Kaoru Tohara, on view from January 15 through February 28, 2010. An opening reception will be held on Friday, January 15 at 6:00 pm. It is free and open to the public.

The solo show features over 35 photographs that looks at the city of Pittsburgh from both traditional and non-traditional points of view. All the images were photographed with a medium format film camera. Nineteen black & white images are silver gelatin prints on fiber-based paper. Nineteen color images, five of which are 40 x 50 mural size, are scanned images from color negative films (the “C-41 process”) that are then digitized and printed with an inkjet printer. Most of the framed prints are 16 x 20.

A native of Tokyo, Tohara moved to Mt. Washington in Pittsburgh several years ago. “From street level,” he says, “Pittsburgh looks like it was formed without order and plans. Like Tokyo, the streets are not straight or grid-like.” Everyday he is struck by his fortunate vantage point, as he overlooks the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers flowing into the Ohio. “From the top, I can see nearly the whole city. When I drive down the mountain I am reminded of the streets in downtown Tokyo, intricate streets with lots of curves around rivers and hills.” Tohara loves urban living and says, “I want to capture the scent of the people who exist behind the buildings, streets, bridges and tunnels.”

Tohara received his MFA in Photography at Indiana University and a BFA at Ohio University. He has exhibited his work in solo and group shows locally, nationally and internationally; he’s also guest lectured and held photography workshops. Currently, he teaches at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Penn State University, and Art Institute of Pittsburgh; has a darkroom/studio in Indiana, PA. His website is: www.sureshot10x.com

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