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Book Bag: Recent Releases from 2019
16 January 2020
Our full book reviews gathered under this column's tag are reserved for titles we found particularly inspiring. But there are a number of releases that we read for review that are worthy of recognition if not a full review. Our short reviews of recent releases attempts to retrieve them from oblivion. Because, you know, we think you might enjoy them.
Body: The Photography Book
by Nathalie HerschdorferArt historian Nathalie Herschdorfer presents over 360 photographs, mostly from the 21st century, illustrating the human body. Sections include Physique on the obvious, Alter Ego on theatrical representations, Constructions on consumer culture, Mutations on idealized versions, Celebration on the idealized, Flesh on the natural body and Love on the sensations the body experiences. Each section is introduced by an essay.
Among the many photographers represented are Jim Goldberg, Nan Goldin, Lauren Greenfield, Ren Hang, Sally Mann, Martin Parr, Paolo Roversi, Cindy Sherman and Alec Soth.
Like all Thames & Hudson titles, this 432-page tome is well-printed. It's heavy, though.
Cimarron: Freedom and Masquerade
by Charles Freger with a foreword by Ishmael ReedAcross the Americas, the story of escaped slaves who lived in freedom in either their own communities or those of indigenous people has been kept alive by the masks, costumes and characters created by their descendants. Those costumed descendants are the subject of Charles Freger's images.
The photos are accompanied by extensive ethnographic and historical notes by art researcher Ana Ruiz Valencia.
This 320-page hardcover is handsomely produced, presenting each of Freger's portraits on a page of its own.
Eamonn Doyle: Made in Dublin (Dublin Trilogy)
by Eamonn Doyle and Kevin BarryPublished for the first time in a single volume, this title collects Doyle's Dublin street photography published as i, ON and End. Text by Kevin Barry explains what's going in each section.
In a short introduction, Niall Sweeney explains, "The images of Eamonn's Dublin trilogy have all been made over a short period of years, in the same place and in no particular order, with their thematic patterns and subjects emerging as the work grows exponentially."
Nick Brandt: This Empty World
by Nick BrandtBrandt's photographs address the escalating destruction of the natural world by human beings. He builds sets that at first invite wildlife to inhabit and then crowd it out with construction. Paired images are captured weeks apart from the same locked-down camera position.
These images were shot in Kenya and the local spots where Brandt built his sets were returned to their native state with the elements recycled and zero waste.
The 120-page book also includes a behind-the-scenes section in which Brandt details the challenges these images created.
Photography Decoded: Look, Think, Ask
by Susan Bright and Hedy Van ErpPart of a new venture with Tate in London, this title introduces you to 100 of the greatest photographs in history, showing you how to read -- and appreciate -- them.
The 208-page hardback asks basic questions like "Is it real?" or "Can lying be OK" or "Why is it famous?" The answers presented in introductory essays are a bit more involved.
The images that follow, however, speak clearly. To answer "Why is it famous?" images by Nick Ut, Andy Warhol, Julia Margaret Cameron and Joel Meyerowitz are employed along with Sgt. Ivan Frederick's infamous trophy photograph from Abu Ghraib Prison. These intriguing contrasts are used throughout the book to illuminate the issues raised by the medium.
NB: Titles are affiliate links which provide you with a discount and us with a small referral fee. None of the titles come from the affiliates, however, but are either proposed by publicists or sought out by staff for review.