OMIYAGE Exhibit by Jared Yamanuha
One of my dream jobs is being paid to travel around the world, photographing various art exhibits / installations then documenting my experiences on my blog. Honestly, pretending I already have this job is one reason, I love checking out art galleries. Art has the ability to articulate a message without saying a word, but great art captures your attention & awakens something deep inside of you.
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I love that Jared chose to incorporate iconic Hawaii brands into his artwork, it was incredible to see a visual representation of how hard work & persistence pays off; Jared dedicated two years creating this collection of artwork. You have to view the “OMIYAGE” Exhbit up close & personal, in order to fully appreciate the painstaking lengths Jared used to create precise designs into each photograph with an X-ACTO knife.
My favorite part about the “OMIYAGE” Exhibit was leaving with a great appreciation for some of the brands that make Hawaii feel like home; my inner fat kid: Big Bertha, would cry if she had to ration Hawaiian Sun drinks or if I wasn’t able to enjoy Hurricane Popcorn while watching movies on Netflix. And a visit from my mainland cousins or friends isn’t complete without stopping by Liliha Bakery to inhale their buttery rolls with neon jelly & famous cocopuffs or shopping at Long’s Drugs to fill their suitcases with local goodies.
Thank you Jared for not giving up on your “OMIYAGE” Exhibit! Your collection helped me realize that I take for granted just how lucky I am to live in paradise, it’s easy to get caught up in the inflated prices & mind-numbing traffic, but at the end of the day, I’m blessed to be surrounded by gorgeous beaches & delicious food.
Originally published November 8, 2013.
