UC Blue Ash College

Tao of Photography - Art Exhibition

Exhibit Overview

This exhibit presents photographs originating from the application of Taoist philosophy and principles to photographic practice. These principles are primarily derived from translations of two ancient Chinese texts, theTao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu. The works are selected samples of the photography produced by students and faculty using this approach during a series of seven "Tao of Photography" seminars at UC Blue Ash College between 2002 and 2014. These seminars were designed and conducted by H. Michael Sanders, professor of Electronic Media at UC Blue Ash College, who also curated the exhibition.

The Tao of Photography book cover

Tao of Photography Exhibition Catalogue

Seminar Work by Students and Faculty 2002-2014

A thirty-two page illustrated print catalogue of the Tao of Photography exhibit is available for $3.00 at both the UCBA Art Gallery and the Electronic Media Communications Office (Muntz 217). The catalogue includes two essays on the seminar and exhibit, a complete listing of all 63 participating artists, and a checklist of the more than 140 works on display. 

Catalogues may be purchased at the exhibit while supplies last with cash or check, but credit cards cannot be accepted.

Gallery Events During Exhibition

A series of three gallery events were planned to help illuminate the content of the Tao of Photography exhibition and provide a richer context for viewing and responding to the work. All of the events occurred on Wednesdays from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. during November. Each of the following events ere recorded and are avilable online through the UCTVOnline - Video on Demand library.

H. Michael Sanders and Matt Bennett working on the Tao of photography exhibit

Gallery Talk

H. Michael Sanders, professor and department chair of Electronic Media Communications at UC Blue Ash, will give an illustrated talk about the Tao of Photography seminar and connect its activities and purpose to a number of Taoist concepts and principles derived from the Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu. Professor Sanders designed and first taught the seminar in 2002 and has repeated it on six occasions during the past twelve years. He is also the curator of the current exhibition.

Matt Bennett, assistant professor of Electronic Media at UC Blue Ash, will respond to Professor Sanders talk and will comment on the seminar from a critical and curatorial perspective. Professor Bennett has actively participated in the seminar in four of its seven versions, and is the associate curator of the current exhibition. Replace with your text

Faculty Seminar Participant Panel

Ted Ferdinand, Crescent and Implied Cube (2014)

Ted Ferdinand, Crescent and Implied Cube (2014)

Four faculty members from Electronic Media Communications have actively participated in the Tao of Photography seminar. During a lively panel discussion, each will offer insights and perspectives on the experience, discuss the impact on their own work, and comment on the development of the students with whom they have worked and collaborated. The faculty panel includes: Pete Bender (2003, 2006, 2008, 2010), Matt Bennett (2008, 2010, 2013, 2014), Ted Ferdinand (2014) and David Hartz (2003).

Student Seminar Participant Panel

Photography by Aimie Willhoite, Tropical Triptych (2002)

Aimie Willhoite, Tropical Triptych (2002)

Selected student participants in the various Tao of Photography seminars from 2002-2014 will engage in a moderated panel discussion to discuss their experience in the seminar, how it influenced their image-making and thinking about creative activity, and comment on insights derived from the collaborative and interactive context. The student participant panel includes: Kendra Carper (2013), Marcus Evans (2014), Aaron Harwood (2010), Bob Ishee (2002), Mandee Logsdon (2013), Brian Pfaff (2014), Donna Pfirman (2003), Andrea Rahtz (2002), and Aimie Willhoite (2002).

Exhibition Participating Artists

The Tao of Photography exhibit includes 129 individual works and 13 collaborative pieces by 63 artists.

Photographic Art, The Eye of the Beholder (2002)

The Eye of the Beholder (2002)

Photography Art, Tao 2006 Portrait

Tao 2006 Portrait

  • Tamara Allegra-Smith
  • Jacob Allex
  • Sherri Barber
  • Pete Bender (F)
  • Matt Bennett (F)
  • Joe Bou
  • Lauren Bowser
  • Kendra Carper
  • Katy Cassidy
  • Kyle Danning
  • Amanda Emerson*
  • Marcus Evans
  • Brandon Farmer
Photography Art, Tao 2008 Portrait

Tao 2008 Portrait

  • Andrew Faul
  • Joshua Ferbin
  • Ted Ferdinand (F)
  • Kyle Fisher*
  • Mike Gaines
  • Chris Gantzer
  • Diane Garrity*
  • Chris Gerrard*
  • Bret Haibel*
  • David Hartz (F)
  • Aaron Harwood
  • Leslie Hurst
  • Bob Ishee
Photography Art, Tao 2002 Portrait

Tao 2002 Portrait

  • Rebekah Kaminsky*
  • Melissa Kyrlach
  • Kerrie Leigh
  • Amanda Logsdon
  • Giancarlo Manlangit
  • Sam Marshall
  • Kristen McFarland*
  • Scott McKendry
  • Luke Meyer
  • Lydia Miller
  • Sharon Morgan
  • Rachel O'Brien
  • Brian Pfaff
Photography Art, Tao 2014 Portrait

Tao 2014 Portrait

  • Donna Pfirman
  • Andrea Rahtz
  • Korinna Reed
  • H. Michael Sanders (F)
  • Tara Schaefer
  • Jannis Schelenz
  • Katy Schwartz
  • Daniel Smith
  • Michole Smith*
  • Jonathan Stout
  • Emily Sturdy
  • Taylor Suess
  • Leslie Tekulve
Photography Art, Tao 2013 Portrait

Tao 2013 Portrait

  • Christina Thompson*
  • Ember Thompson
  • Daniel True
  • Daniel Vaught
  • Danielle Walton
  • Crystal Washington
  • Lindsey Werner
  • Aimie Willhoite
  • Inger Williams
  • Carol Wright
  • Rick Yerigan

* Collaborative Works Only

(F) Faculty

Resources

Contact Information

Phone: 513-936-1712
Email: bagaller@ucmail.uc.edu