Marc Yoakum's "Pedal Power," from the "Environmental Observations" exhibition at The ARTS at Marks Garage.

Environmental
observations

CORRECTION Tuesday, September 28, 2004 » The Chinatown Shootout photographer who took the photo titled "9/18/04" is Richard Duggan. The first name was incorrectly reported as Robert in a caption on Page G11 of Sunday's Mauka Makai. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

It was high noon when a ragtag gang in T-shirts and walking shoes poured into The ARTS at Mark's Garage, about 50 in all, armed with monster tripods, 35mm cameras with bazooka-barreled telephoto lenses or sleek, silver-toned digital sharp shooters.

"Environmental Observations" Not an ordinary landscape photography exhibit, with works by Jeff Bunting, Mary Farkash, Jessica Radovich, Robin Scanlon and Marc Yoakum Where: The ARTS at Marks Garage When: Through Oct. 9 Admission: Free Call: 521-2903 Also: Artist reception 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, with organic foods and thematic entertainment, also celebrating the launch of The ARTS at Marks Garage Web site

They were returning from their mission, which was to take aim in bars, cafes, food markets, noodle factories and the grimy streets, and shoot the town -- whether in black and white and/or color.

The event was the Chinatown Shoot-Out last Saturday, the interactive part of the photographic exhibition "Environmental Observations," on view at the gallery through Oct. 9. The show is open and a reception will take place 6 to 9 p.m. Friday as one of the monthly First Friday Downtown Art Walks.

The youngest participant in the shoot-out was 6-year old Marcus Young, who, with his father Wes Young, interspersed shooting expeditions with orientation for the Honolulu Youth Opera Chorus, as well as swimming class at the Richards Street Y. Marcus had just enough time to get to the Gee Yung International Martial Arts, Dragon and Lion Dance Association on Smith Street to capture the colorful lion masks and his former instructor Harlan Lee.

Marcus is no stranger to photography thanks to his dad, who's encouraged him to take pictures since he was 3.

"I wanted him to get a sense of pride in contributing to the community and in being recognized for his photography skills," said Wes, who also started taking pictures when he was 5.

"The beauty of photography is that it helps you to see the beauty around you, and that can last a lifetime. You're able to experience the visual world in greater detail."

Mary Farkash captures the fragile quality of Hawaii's rare endemic and endangered plants.

The reward for all the participants was the opportunity to post one of the pictures from the day, printed out in 4-by-6 glossies at $2 a pop, to boards set aside for the wannabe photographers.

For many of the participants, the event was an eye-opener that gave them glimpses into parts of Chinatown they would never enter if not for the exercise, which was the aim of the five photographers -- Jeff Bunting, Mary Farkash, Jessica Radovich, Robin Scanlon and Marc Yoakum -- whose works comprise "Environmental Observations."

Radovich, whose "Lew the Wandering Brew" series about a traveling beer bottle -- including some in which it appears in the company of a headless Barbie she found on a Seattle Beach -- offers a humorous view of the extent of litter problems, said the group had no idea who would turn up for the shoot-out, but were pleased with the results.

"I got to talk to a lot of people while downloading (digital) cards, and they had a good time. A lot of them only shot family photos so it gave them a chance to stop and look at things and take pictures they normally wouldn't do. A lot of them said looking at other people's images gave them ideas of things to do in the future.

Scanlon, whose works are meditative in nature, said her images offer a way for viewers to slow down and think about what they're looking at. That may be the reason her other favorite subject is photographing dogs.

"They're so in the moment. They're paying attention all the time. I hope that's what happened for the people who showed up."

Robin Scanlon's meditative work offers respite from the "busy-ness" of daily life.

From the Chinatown Shoot-out is Ilana Nimz's "Secret Garden." See this photo and more at Marks Garage, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays.

Robert Duggan's 9/18/04."

Pat Rooney's "Special."