How objects speak
6. Untitled
By Taizo Kato (b. ?-d. 1924)
Date: c. 1928
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Credit Line: Gift of
Peter Norton Family Foundation
Object ID: 2002.136.1
Issei photographer Taizo Kato operated a photography, art, and stationery store in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo. This 1920s print is in the style of Pictorialism, a late-nineteenth century art photography style often characterized by a soft-focus and dramatic contrast of light and dark that emphasizes mood and atmosphere. It is likely that the photograph was taken in a nearby park, but through his artistry, Kato makes it seem far from urban Los Angeles. In this case, intent is a critical factor. The artist was working in the context of art photography of the day and his work was both recognized and published by American photographic journals of the 1920s. In another context, one might say that this work was out of focus.