Collected Works Bookstore
An Imperfect Circle
Photographer David Scheinbaum explores the Japanese ensō with new book based on a pandemic project
At a certain point during the earlier days of the pandemic lockdowns, photographer David Scheinbaum found himself free of life’s distractions. For the most part, he tells SFR, he was able to focus on his work in the photo realm but, he adds, the weight of the world found him weary. Enter the Japanese ensō—a circle symbolizing concepts of letting go and acceptance. Now, some years later, Scheinbaum will release Ensō: What is Beheld, Chemical Calligraphy, a book that documents his experiences embracing the symbolism and ritual of ensō through brush and ink.
“It’s totally different for me, and there are a few things going on,” he explains. “In my 50 years doing photography, I’ve been highly technical—within the Ansel Adams-type realm of making fine prints and presentations—but I’ve aspired to do a project that gets down to the minimal, essential aspects of photography, which are basically light and chemistry.”
Creating an enso became a daily occurrence for Scheinbaum, as did documenting his progress and process through the photogram, a technique wherein images are captured without a camera by placing an object on light-sensitive material then exposing it to light.
“What ended up happening is…a kind of daily meditation,” Scheinbaum says. “You sit down or stand, you try to center and calm yourself, and the tradition is to try and do these circles in a single breath—you inhale, you draw the circle.”
He did so for three years, which not only helped him create the body of work that makes up the book, but got him more in touch with his daily wellbeing.
“Sometimes you think you’re as calm as can be, and you do this circle that’s a total mess,” Scheinbaum says. “Other times you get this beautiful circle. You just go through the process. And though I’m not a Zen Buddhist, it really became a daily mirror.”
The book is presented in chronological order with words from Scheinbaum’s longtime friend and Zen practitioner Ninso John High, as well as artist and calligraphy master Kazuki Tanahashi. To celebrate its release, Scheinbaum will appear in conversation with his longtime friend and Artes de Cuba gallerist Stuart Ashman at Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse this week. And though Scheinbaum has since moved on to a new photo project, the tenets of his ensō practice remain with him.
“What hasn’t left me and won’t leave me is taking a little mental time-out each day,” he says, “to try and breathe and put myself in that state.” (Alex De Vore)
David Scheinbaum Book Launch and Conversation w/Stuart Ashman: 6 pm Tuesday, Nov. 19. Free. Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 202 Galisteo St., (505) 988-4226
jeancocteaucinema.com
Blushing
Screenings of movies like filmmaker John Biscello’s 2024 short The Bride are exactly why Santa Fe needs a weirdo moviehouse like the Jean Cocteau Cinema. In the film, sole actress Isumi Yokoyama confronts her reflection in the mirror. While toiling with concepts of matrimony and feminism, the bride experiences a metamorphosis of sorts. We’ve heard the film described as “haunting,” so that’s cool, too. Oh! And it was filmed in Taos! This screening also features a Q&A with the filmmaking team, plus a performance from Diatom Deli, who composed music for the short. (ADV)
The Bride Screening, Q&A and Performance: 6 pm Thursday, Nov. 14. $10. Jean Cocteau Cinema, 418 Montezuma Ave., (505) 466-5528
Carrie McCarthy
Dance Dance Resolution
With roots in the dance and movement worlds dating back to the 1970s, performance artist Jean Fogel Zee has explored the concepts of interpretive narrative to what we might call an intense degree. This includes stints with The Royal Ballet in London—with a scholarship, baby—and more. Now, Zee brings the heat to Santa Fe’s Teatro Paraguas, where her forthcoming performance Salvo -attempts to convey life through the eyes of a deer. Dancers Corinna MacNeice and Kirsche Dickson enter the fray as well. What might happen, no one knows, Salvo’s very existence feels like a victory for dance fans who often find themselves with scant options for exploring the more experimental side of the art form. (ADV)
Salvo: 7:30 pm Friday Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16. $25 Teatro Paraguas, 3205 Calle Marie, (505) 424-1601
Courtesy cranksgivingsantafe.com
Pedal for a Cause
Though many grapple with the colder months in Santa Fe—like that fun few days last week when Santa Feans lost power across town because it snowed—one of the finer things about the winter/holiday season is that we tend to come together to help others. There are lots of ways to do just that, but Santa Fe’s Cranksgiving remains a beloved and downright fun entry on the list. It’s simple: Show up with a bike, some bags and $25 to spend on food, then complete a scavenger hunt that ends with a super-fun gathering of like-minded helper types and a veritable mountain of Thanksgiving foods destined for The Food Depot. Exercise, fun and the good feeling that comes from helping folks have a better holiday? Yes to that. (ADV)
Cranksgiving: 10 am-3 pm Saturday, Nov. 16. $20-$25 (to spend on food). Santa Fe Railyard Plaza, 1612 Alcaldesa St. cranksgivingsantafe.com
