ART+PHOTOGRAPHY SPRING 2013

Shadow & Light BILL BRANDT Thames & Hudson

www.state-media.com BOOK SPRING 2013 | 1 THE BEST OF BRANDT FROM THAMES & HUDSON NORMAN CORNISH A SHOT AGAINST TIME

The storryy of Norman Cornish’s prodigious career as an arrttist who converrtted his experience as a miner into compelling imagerryy has become justly famous. Born in 1919, in Spennymoorr,, Co Durham, Norman Cornish was apprenticed at the age of 14 at the Dean and Chapter Collierryy (also known as the Butcher’s Shop), and spent the next 33 years working in various pits in the Norrtth East of England. Without diminishing the harsh Bill Brandt realities of life and work during those years, his paintings create a sense Shadow and Light of time and place by depicting the lyrical qualities of his surroundings in Sarah Hermanson Meister which time is defeated. Foreword by Glenn D. Lowry ‘Fantastic … well-written Long before the Angel of the Norrtth, Cornish’s work was loved and and interesting’ admired as a symbol of the Norrtth East. For all that the mines have closed, Amateur Photographer his work continues to be an enduring testament to a community whose ISBN 978 0 500 544242 £34.95 spirit surrvvives triumphantly. Brandt Nudes A New Perspective Preface by Lawrence Durrell Foreword by Mara-Helen Wood Commentaries by Mark Haworth-Booth Essays by William Feaververr,, William Varleyy,, Michael Chaplin and Dr Gail-Nina Anderson 140 of Bill Brandt’s classic and dramatic nudes, brought together Paperback, 160pp with 134 full colour illustrations in one beautiful volume. ISBN ISBN 978 0 500 970423 £45.00

ISBN 094794021-9 Price £10.00 each + £2.50 p&p

University Gallery annd Baring Wing thamesandhudson Northumbria University, Sandyford Road, Newcastle uponon TyTyne NE1 8ST thamesandhudson.com T: 0191 227 4424 E: [email protected] wwwwwww..universitygallery.co.uk VisionsV i s i o n s ooff TTattooa t t o o AArtr t

TTAATTOO IN JAPPAAN KALINGA TTAAATTTOO BLACK TTAAATTTOO ART

MAGICAL TTAAATTTOOS AND SCARIFICAATTION LAATTINO ART COLLECTION Punk Michael Landy What Art Is Garry Winogrand

HORIKKAAZU iiss an iconograapphical bench- Chaos to Couture Saints Alive Arthur C. Danto Edited by Leo Rubinfien markk,, and contains a ffuulllyy com- Andrew Bolton Colin Wiggins A lively meditation on the nature of art With contributions by prehensive account of traditional by one of America’s most celebrated art Jaappaneesse tattooing. YYoou wwiill eexxxpperriience With Richard Hell, John Lydon With Richard Cork Sarah Greenough, Susan Kismaric, the ffaascinating estheticcsss,, and the critics. Erin O’Toole, Tod Papageorge and Jon Savage and Jennifer Sliwka compleexx conceepption of motiffss in tra- What is it to be a work of art? and Sandra S. Phillips ditional Japanese tattoos – disspplayed An exciting exploration of the provocative Contemporary artist Michael Landy Renowned author and critic Arthur The first substantial compendium of the in gorrggeous photographss,, ffrrom KKooi to punk aesthetic and its incendiary influence reveals his latest work, an interactive KKaabukii,, ffrrom Buddha to Benzaiten. C. Danto addresses this fundamental, work of acclaimed American postwar on high fashion, this stunning book reveals sculptural installation motivated by the TThhe present selection of not prevviiousllyy complex question. Part philosophical photographer Garry Winogrand, widely how designers have looked to the imagery of Catholic saints and their published drawwiings is a true rarriittyy! quintessential anti-establishment style to monograph and part memoiristic regarded as one of the most important TTeextxt input ffrrom qualiffiied authorrss pro- accompanying stories, often gruesome, meditation, What Art Is challenges the photographers of the 20th century. This vviideess access to the secretivvee world of BLACK & GREY TTAAATTTOO 2 CHINESE TTAAATTTOO ART COLOR TAATTTOO ART originate new ideals of beauty and which were once part of common fashionability. The catalogue accompanies popular interpretation that art is an expansive volume brings together his images of Japanese tattoo art. TTaattoo- culture but are now largely unknown. indefinable concept, instead bringing isttsss,, Japan ffaans and any art lovveer wwiill a major exhibition at The Metropolitan iconic images and pictures that have certainllyy be thrilled by this unrivaled Museum of Art, New York. UK Exhibition: to light the properties that constitute never before been printed. The catalogue illustrated book. The National Gallery, London, universal meaning. for a major international exhibition. Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art 23 May – 24 November Distributed by Yale University Press Hardback £18.99 Published in association with the 219 colour and quadratone illus. The National Gallery, London e book available San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Hardback £30.00 65 colour illus. Paperback £9.99 460 duotone illus. Hardback £55.00

tel: 020 7079 4900 YaleBooks www.yalebooks.co.uk EEDITIONDITION RREUSSEUSS ttattooattoo artart booksbooks areare availableavailable inin allall UUKK bbookshops;ookshops; oonline;nline; oorr aatt www.edition-reuss.comwww.edition-reuss.com COVER IMAGE >> EDITORIAL CAPTURED BY DAFYDD JONES ISPY [email protected] ......

CREATING ART BOOKS is a discipline like There seems to be some trends showing. no other. In fact, if you take the time to analyse The prestige tomes on art and artists published the business, like Dr Johnson’s adage about today seem invariably linked to corresponding a dog walking on its hind legs and a woman exhibitions in major world class institutions, ADELINE DE MONSEIGNAT preaching – one is ‘surprised to find it done at like the Museum of Modern Art (NYC) or Ronchini Gallery all’. From the very beginning the process is a Tate Modern. This is quite understandable, as minefield of expense and potential error. Each sponsors tend to contribute to the ‘catalogue’ and every reproduction has to be sourced, an as part of the overall package. Additionally, the accurate high-res scan located and fees paid rapid growth of interest in photography, once JULIE CHRISTIE Echoes of a Vanished World where necessary. Not to mention the correct a decidedly niche market for publishers, has HOMER SYKES & NICK HACKWORTH National Theatre | BILL BRANDT, 1981 copyright information noted – especially when proved to be a lucrative and expanding arena. Photo50 London Art Fair BDC MICHAEL BIRT IVOR BRAKA & KRISTEN MCMENAMY A young photographer's rare interview at the home the voracious artists’ agencies are involved. At Especially amongst the image conscious youth Juergen Teller ICA of an enigmatic giant of 20th century photography the printing stage, only the highest quality press groupings. The biggest growth in the quality Read the full story on page 13 work can be employed because a painting that sector of print-on-demand services (like has incorrect colour values is Blurb.com) stems from self- not the painting it claims published photography titles. The to be. To be fair, digital ‘The book format book format is traditionally the printing, and the fine is traditionally means by which camera artists NEIL LIBBERT BOOK calibration this enables, has collect and present their images, Ossie Clarke Proud Chelsea the means by which ART & PHOTOGRAPHY somewhat eased the problem and it would appear that an ever of perfect colour. And it is camera artists expanding audience has emerged EDITOR BUREAU CHIEFS no longer a surprise to see willing to buy them. The dilemma Mike von Joel Lyle Owerko collect and present duo-tones superseded by faced by established publishers that [email protected] NEW YORK their images.’ Anne Chabrol four colour process in the attempt to straddle a traditional PUBLISHER reproduction of monochrome business model and the new Karl Skogland PARIS photographs. But even having produced a book internet world of downloads and tablets, is [email protected] David Tidball BERLIN on a quality paper stock (the price of which which way is forward. Until this is clear, the MARK KNOPFLER & KITTY ALDRIDGE EDITORIAL keeps fluctuating every six months) there is houses still producing beautiful, top quality art Reworked Rook & Raven Gallery ASSISTANT William Wright the matter of distribution. and photography books really do deserve our Caroline Harris SYDNEY applause, gratitude and support. KRISTEN MCMENAMY, [email protected] Elizabeth Crompton JUERGEN TELLER The Daily Telegraph reported recently that the MELBOURNE & STELLA MCCARTNEY DESIGN DIRECTOR number of UK bookshops has halved in the last This is the first Spring issue of our bi-annual ICA Tor Soreide SUSANNAH FIENNES & LAURA TENISON DISTRIBUTION six years and that, according to Experian, there BOOK supplement – free with STATE Echoes of a Vanished World & SUBSCRIPTIONS are only 1,878 left on Britain’s high streets. In magazine. By the very fact of their inclusion, SPECIAL FEATURES Julie Milne National Theatre Michaela Freeman 2012 some 400 shut down – and 600 towns each and every title reviewed here is warmly [email protected] [email protected] have no book shop at all. For art books, an recommended and a work of real merit. The actual shop is the key interface with the reader. next edition will be created in Autumn 2013. AD EXECUTIVE PUBLISHED BY Julie Milne State Media Ltd. Unlike novels, art books do not readily lend AMINA RICCIARDI CORRESPONDENTS LONDON themselves to e-book formats and certainly not Mike von Joel & GRAHAM OVENDEN Clare Henry [email protected] to super-market discount shelves. EDITOR-IN CHIEF Echoes of a Vanished World Ian McKay National Theatre PRINTED BY William Varley Garnett Dickinson All correspondence to [email protected] Georgina Turner Rotherham S63 5DL

TONY ELLIOTT Art13 London Olympia BOOK is published biannually in Spring & >> IN THIS ISSUE PRINCESS JULIA & MARGOT HENDERSON Autumn and is distributed free with STATE Nicola Tyson Sadie Coles HQ magazine throughout the UK.

Totally free, STATE is about new manoeuvres in painting and the VIKTOR WYND visual arts – combined with f22, & ARETHA CAMPBELL The Uncanny a supplement on developments in Ronchini Gallery the fusion of art & photography.

It is not a review magazine – it is about PEOPLE worth serious LEE BLACK CHILDERS consideration; PLACES that The Art The Dark Divine & JOHN STODDART are hot and happening; and Drag Queens, Rent Boys, PROJECTS developing in the of the Diary & The Drama Inspiration ANDY POLARIS & NICOLA TYSON Pick Pockets... NICHOLAS SEROTA 08 10 16 Sadie Coles HQ Book launch Juergen Teller ICA international art world. René Gimpel Bill Brandt The Art of Insider Trading Revised Ralph Gibson To apply to stock STATE Magazine, please mail 3 3 The House of Fairy Tales, The National Trust. Sutton House E9 6JQ The Uncanny, Featuring works by Adeline de Monseignat and Berndnaut Smilde. Ronchini Gallery. Dering Street W1 Julie Milne: [email protected] 3 Juergen Teller: Woo! ICA 3 Echoes of a Vanished World, A Lifetime in Pictures. Robin Hanbury-Tenison. National Theatre. South Bank 3 Nicola Tyson. Bowie Nights at Billy's Club, London, 1978. Sadie Coles HQ, London W1K 2QZ 3 Bill Wyman – Reworked. Rook & Raven Gallery. London W1T 1HN twitter.com/statef22 www.facebook.com/statef22 vimeo.com/statef22 3 Book News 3 Book Features 3 Book Reviews 3 Ossie Clark: The King of the King’s Road Reigns Again. Proud Gallery London SW3 3 London Art Fair 2013. Business Design Centre. Islington N1 www.state-media.com

4 | BOOK SPRING 2013 www.state-media.com www.state-media.com BOOK SPRING 2013 | 5 h NOTEBOOK DON’T MISS

Gigi Giannuzzi At the sharp end David Carey Agens, Russia's first glossy Small is beautiful Magazines not defunct magazine for lesbians launched in Trolley Books ten year anthology ‘Magazines get tarred with a lot of Moscow amid growing anti-gay Trolleyology will be launched in the anxiety around the newspaper protests and a new law set to June at the Venice Biennale. business,’ says Hearst Magazines ban 'homosexual propaganda' The book will contain exclusive President, David Carey, speaking Thomas Neurath, Chairman of Thames & Hudson nationwide. The bill has already interviews with many important at the D: Dive Into Media passed its first reading in the State photographers, artists and writers conference. ‘Magazine brands Bookshops Duma parliament and is due to and previously unseen material are powerful things.’ Fashion and KKF Book Awards losing ground be debated again in May. The from the making of the books, beauty advertising hit a new record The Kraszna-Krausz Foundation Best Moving Image Book. Chaired The number of high street magazine carries fashion features Otis Chandler, a scion of the Los Angeles Times publishing Chandler family. including personal images and last year, Carey noted, and Hearst’s Book Awards are the UK’s leading by BFI Creative Director Heather bookshops in Britain has more on men's clothes that fit women contact sheets, demonstrating the digital efforts saw mobile devices – prizes for books published in the Stewart, the panel was Nev Pierce, than halved in just seven years and and women's true life stories about importance of this small but potent both tablets and phones – fields of photography and the moving Editor-at-Large, Empire magazine nearly 600 towns have none at all. coming out in Russia. Agens editor, Goodreads snapped up publishing house. It is also a accounting for 40% of unique visits image and two winners share a and Dr. Julian Petley, Professor of According to data from Experian Milena Chernyavskaya, says: 'we Sources close to the deal say Amazon netted Goodreads for an celebration of Gigi Giannuzzi, who to its magazine websites. The iPad £10,000 prize. The KKF was estab- Screen Media, Brunel University. there are only 1,878 high street don't want to promote conflict, we unspecified mix of cash and stock worth somewhere between $140 died on Christmas Eve 2012 from is dominant, but women’s titles lished in 1985 by Andor Kraszna- WINNER: Hollywood Costume by bookshops left in Britain, as want to start dialogue between the and $150 million. In context, Amazon's stock has been trading at pancreatic cancer. Trolleyology are doing better on seven-inch Krausz, founder of the influential Deborah Nadoolman Landis (V&A recently as 2005 there were 4,000. gay community and the authorities. record highs, with its current market cap a shade over $121 billion. brings together many renowned tablets. Hearst has about 900,000 publishing house Focal Press. The Publishing). SHORTLISTED: 39 Steps Almost 400 bookshops closed in If people are offended, I want to Goodreads' deal is still remarkable: as much as $10 for each of its contributors including paid digital subscribers – about 3% charitable organisation presents to the Genius of Hitchcock by James 2012, a seven-fold increase in the talk to them’. users (many of whose accounts are no longer active) and a hefty return photographers Nan Goldin, of the company’s total. While there the annual book awards and Bell, editor (British Film Institute); number that shut in 2011, due The publishers have given the on its modest $3 million start-up funding. Pinterest and Twitter are Philip Jones Griffiths, Alex Majoli, is a free Web, ‘and always will be’, provides year-round grants for the First Films of the Holocaust: Soviet to the prolonged downturn in magazine an over-18s only valued at about $50 per user, and Facebook at $58, so Goodreads, a Stanley Greene, Paolo Pellegrin, Carey said, tablets are helping advancement of photography and Cinema and the Genocide of the classification to get round laws slow-growth network that's hard to monetize, should be worth Adam Broomberg and Oliver create a sustainable paid business. the moving image in the UK. Jews, 1938-46 by Jeremy Hicks that ban the promotion of a gay $55 per user, or $880 million. A good result for a simple concept Chanarin, Tom Stoddart, ‘We are training subscribers to pay (University of Pittsburgh Press). lifestyle to minors. The legislation launched in January 2007 by Otis and Elizabeth Chandler. Users are Nina Berman, Thomas Dworzak, for digital content.’ The company Best Photography Book. The award 'Half of all being pushed by the Kremlin and able to sign up and register books to generate open access library Alixandra Fazzina, Robin Maddock, also diversified with video, using was judged by specialist and curator Outstanding Contribution to the Russian Orthodox Church catalogues and reading lists, suggestions and reviews. In October Jamie Morgan, artists Paul Fryer, funding from Google to create Zelda Cheatle (chair), Guardian Publishing award will go to Thomas consumers buy Jewellery Hamar Ethiopia would make it illegal to tell 2012, Goodreads announced it had grown to 11 million members Sarah Lucas, Polly Morgan, Mat two YouTube channels, Hello Style critic and writer Sean O’Hagan and Neurath, Chairman of Thames & “most” of their minors information that is defined with 395 million books catalogued and over 20,000 book clubs. And Collishaw, and writers Iphgenia and one tied to Car & Driver. photographer Paul Graham. Hudson who has been personally THE AFRICA CENTRE | 24 May – 9 June 2013 as ‘propaganda of sodomy, 30 employees. The offices are in San Francisco. Source: Washington Post Baal, Julian Stallabrass, with an Hearst owns the National WINNER: War/Photography: in charge of the programme of books online lesbianism, bisexuality and introduction by cultural historian Magazine Company in the UK. Images of Armed Conflict and Its photography titles at the company African Beauty: Visual expression in traditional societies. transgenderism’. A public kiss Barry Miles. ISBN: 978-1907112430 Source: All Things D Aftermath by Anne Wilkes Tucker, since the 1960's when he worked while only a third A photographic exhibition by John Kenny that reveals the vibrant between two men could be defined Will Michels and Natalie Zest with Brassaï and Cartier-Bresson. buy most in jewellery, delicate body art, beautiful fabrics and intricate as illegal 'homosexual propaganda' (Yale University Press). The winners of the Best hairstyles that decorate traditional groups from across Africa. and bring a fine of up to £10,000. Classic online FOC SHORTLISTED: Everything Was Photography and Best Moving bookshops.' Other laws that the Kremlin says are LibriVox – founded in 2005 – is a Moving: Photography from the 60s Image Book will be announced at In association with the Capital Culture Gallery. www.john-kenny.com intended to protect young Russians community of volunteers from all and 70s by Kate Bush (Barbican Art the Sony World Photography Awards have been adopted in recent over the world who record public Gallery); Billy Monk by Billy Monk Gala Ceremony held in London. months, including some that allow domain texts: poetry, short stories, (Dewi Lewis). www.kraszna-krausz.org.uk consumer spending, pressure from banning and blocking web content whole books, even dramatic works, supermarkets, and the continued and print publications that are in many different languages. All rise of websites such as Amazon, deemed ‘extremist’ or unfit for LibriVox recordings are in the AVA new ID which sell both physical books young audiences. Source AP public domain in the USA and In July 2012, Bloomsbury and electronic ebooks online. available as free downloads on acquired Applied Visual Arts New research from analysts the internet. Search the LibriVox publishing (AVA) and it has now at Mintel shows that British catalog for books by title and been fully integrated into the consumers spent £261 million on author as well as by genre or London operation. Fairchild Books ebooks in 2012, almost double language, or you can look for all was acquired by Bloomsbury in the £138 million spent in 2011. works read by a particular volunteer. April 2012, from April 2013 all new At the same time physical book Now it’s YouMag LibriVox always welcome new AVA titles will be published under sales fell from £3.3 billion to When Flipboard released version readers, proof listeners, cover the Fairchild imprint. This will £3.1 billion. 2.0 of its iOS app (allowing more artists, or simply suggestions for greatly increase visibility in the US than 50 million registered users books to read. www.librivox.org market through Fairchild, which Tim Godfray, chief executive of to make their own magazines) Sebastião and Lelia Salgado will publish around 50 new works The Booksellers Association (BA), in the first 24 hours more than a year and have a backlist of 450 said that things are ‘exceedingly Ai Weiwei 100,000 were created. As you titles in fashion, interior design, tough’ for bookshops, who are browse articles and videos on Taschen top title 2013 graphic arts, moving image and ‘Tragedy facing high costs and growing Weiwei-isms Flipboard or on the web, you can London’s Natural History Museum exhibits photographer Sebastião photography and architecture. is a literary pressure from the internet. The relentless elevation of the save (‘flip’) them to your own Salgado’s latest project Genesis (11 April to 8 September 2013). Bloomsbury claims now to be However he said that the BA’s Chinese artist to ‘sainthood’ magazine by clicking on a ‘+’ This major exhibition will showcase, amongst others, photographs of the largest global publisher of concept.’ own research does not tally with continues. Ai Weiwei's ‘little button in Flipboard, or by clicking Ethiopia’s Omo Valley tribes; Bushmen of the Central Kalahari Game academic materials for the DAVID HOCKNEY Experian’s and in fact shows that black book’ of quotations has been on their new bookmarklet for web Reserve in Botswana; the Nenets of Siberia; and tribes of West Papua: all visual arts. the closure rate of bookshops is carefully selected from articles, browsers. Once finished, share of these face persecution by governments, Bloomsbury Publishing’s declining. ‘We are not seeing the tweets, and interviews given by with friends and the rest of the theft of their lands and resources, founder and Chief Executive is Beatles still sell end of the bookshop’. However the artist and activist. The book Flipboard's user base, or keep or the threat of devastating epidemics. Nigel Newton. In 2013 Bloomsbury A rare set of photos taken by an consumers’ buying habits are David Park Kids on bikes ca. 1950-51 is organized into six categories: your mag private. Reviews of the Salgado’s exhibition will also show Academic and Professional was amateur photographer of the changing. According to Mintel freedom of expression; art and new version in the iTunes Store images of the Zo’é, a small isolated tribe voted the IPG Independent Beatles' 1965 concert at the Shea half of all consumers buy ‘most’ activism; government, power, and have been generally positive. For living in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest. While Publisher of the Year, as well as Stadium, New York have been of their books online while only THOMAS WILLIAMS FINE ART moral choices; the digital world; example: a teacher could create their territory is relatively free from Academic & Professional Publisher sold at an auction. Marc Weinstein a third buy most in bookshops. 15 May – 22 June 2013 history, the historical moment, a magazine with educational invasion, they are still extremely of the Year. Bloomsbury's academic used a fake press pass to get a Marianne Velmans, publishing and the future; and personal materials to share with students; vulnerable to diseases brought in by portfolio has grown rapidly since spot next to the stage. According director at Doubleday, said: ‘It Thomas Williams Fine Art have a truly rare opportunity to see reflections. Ai Weiwei is known for or a sports coach video clips to outsiders who periodically encroach 2008 and includes Continuum, T&T to Weinstein, the only other reflects what is going on the high pioneering painting and drawing from Los Angeles and its environs his innovative use of social media share with the team. One fan ‘Hell hath no fury on their land. The deluxe catalogue of Clark, Berg Publishers, Methuen photographer present at the street. The independent [shops] in a show called The Bay Area Paintings. Showcasing Californian to disseminate his views. Published reported using it more like Genesis is published by Taschen who will Drama, Arden Shakespeare, Bristol show ran out of film during the were first put under pressure by artists of the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s, this was an influential by Radian (owned by China Art Instapaper to create a daily like a hustler with launch their Trade, Collectors and Art Classical Press, AVA Publishing and concert. Weinstein's 61 pictures the chains like Waterstones, and Times Limited, Hong Kong). magazine to read in the evenings. a literary agent.’ editions of the book simultaneously to Fairchild Books, creating around fetched £30,680, compared now Waterstones is under pressure crucible that led directly to the CalArts explosion of talented painters ISBN: 978-0691157665 Sign of things to come? coincide with the exhibition at the NHM. 1,100 books each year. with a pre-sale estimate of from the internet retailers.’ like Eric Fischl. A special book has been written to correspond with www.randian-online.com www.flipboard.com FRANK SINATRA www.taschen.com www.nhm.ac.uk www.bloomsbury.com/academic £15,000-£20,000. Source AP Source: Daily Telegraph this exhibition (Lund Humphries). www.thomaswilliamsfineart.com

6 | BOOK SPRING 2013 www.state-media.com www.state-media.com BOOK SPRING 2013 | 7 h INSIDER TRADING h THE RENÉ GIMPEL STORY

René Gimpel, ca. 1920

reliant on their custom. The a five franc brothel, because he had Rothschild family, regarded as the felt quite ill at ease in the first.’ epitome of taste and culture, had set [conversation about Chaim Soutine] the standard for the newly rich oil, steel, rail and coal magnates of 3 Sept. 1939. ‘We’re at war.’ [final America – who looked to European entry in diary] dealers to supply the pictures, furniture and antiques which let The invasion by the despised Germans them imitate that legendary banking changed the French art business dynasty. It was a lucrative arrangement forever. ‘RG’ and his sons joined the which flourished until the Wall Street Resistance immediately at the Crash of 1929. RG’s diary outbreak of hostilities. He was observations could be waspish. On interned by the Vichy authorities and the continuous expansion of the released in 1942, then re-arrested by Knoedler gallery in New York he the Gestapo after being betrayed by noted: ‘You’re looking for an another art dealer (this collaborator engraving for $5 that you’d find on the was subsequently identified and quays for five sous? You’ll get it here.’ punished after the war). ‘RG’ was eventually sent on to the 28 Nov. 1918. ‘I [...] owed 300 francs Neuengamme concentration camp in to a butcher who sent the bailiffs Germany, where he expired just days round. When they were about to before the camp was liberated. There impound my things I took a knife and are many moving testimonies to the slashed 200 canvasses I had there. spirit and valour of ‘RG’, who Sometime later [...] my father sent me encouraged his fellow häftlinge to the the money to settle my debt. I went to very last – a man whose existence had the bailiff’s to try and pick up the trail been one of luxury, aesthetics and of my paintings, and he said to me champagne but who met deprivation, “How can you expect to follow up starvation and death with heroic anything so trifling? It’s impossible! fortitude and pride. Your canvasses were sold in lots of 50, and each lot brought an average Thanks to René Albert’s grandson of 30 francs”.’ [conversation with and namesake, the London dealer reread previous versions that had been Florence (b.1886), the youngest sister of Claude Monet at Givernay] René Patrick Gimpel (b.1947), the published (1963 in French; 1965 in [Lord] Joseph Duveen in 1912. famous Journal d'un Collectionneur English) and realised there had been 2. February 2010: a mystery donor purchased 27 Sept. 1919. ‘It’s a portrait of a fat (translated and published as Diary of numerous omissions and some 3,700 yellowing pages on behalf of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France for a price Ernest Gimpel’s first gallery at 9 Rue Lafayette brothel woman. Georges Bernheim, who showed it to me, said the last believed to be in excess of €5m (£4.4m). owner amused himself by shooting at The papers are the uncensored, uncorrected His circle included Georges Braque, basis of Casanova’s legendary Histoire de it with a gun.’ [on a damaged painting Ma Vie (Story of My Life). by Toulouse-Lautrec] Mary Cassatt, Matisse, Renoir, Claude Monet, Soutine, Utrillo, Pablo Picasso; and his 3. The Partnership: The Secret Association THE ART OF THE DIARY 6 Nov. 1929. ‘Dimier tells me how, of Bernard Berenson and Joseph Duveen Publisher The Bodley Head Ltd; First edition during a stay in Marseilles, the artist intimate, Marie Laurencin. April 9, 1987. ISBN: 978-0370305851 The extraordinary journals of René Gimpel recorded a personal journey didn’t wish to put up at a hotel but at [ ] through the most significant decades in Modern Art – and from La Belle Époque a brothel. Zborowsky offered him the 4. Journal d'un Collectionneur. New edition, finest in the city for 20 francs. But an Art Dealer) is at last available in questionable translations. A labour of with previously unpublished content, 750pp. (in French only). extravagance to the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. Soutine disappeared. Panic; the city a definitive edition.(4) After inheriting love over several years resulted in an was combed and he was discovered in the original handwritten MSS, René extra 250 pages being added and the text thoroughly revised. It was finally LINKS HERE HAVE BEEN dynasties that incorporated the young Gimpel and a foretaste of a Braque, Mary Cassatt, Matisse, re-published in Paris in 2011 by www.gimpelfils.com numerous art journals Wildensteins, the [Louis] Vuittons, life to come. Renoir, Claude Monet, Soutine, Editions Hermann. There are no www.gimpel-muller.com of note: Benvenuto and later, the Duveens.(1) Utrillo, Pablo Picasso; and his plans for an English translation. Cellini, Giorgio ‘RG’ kept a journal – sometimes intimate, Marie Laurencin. Close The Archives of American Art, Vasari, Leonardo, The 25 year-old Gimpel was forced erratically – from 1918 (Armistice) friends with Anatole France, and Smithsonian Institute, hold many Boswell, Vincent van centre stage by the sudden death of until 1939 (the beginning of the Marcel Proust in his last years. He personal items from the life of TGogh of course; and all have provided his father, Ernest Gimpel, at the Second World War). Supposedly respected artists but despised the ‘RG’, incorporating extensive fascinating commentaries on the Knickerbocker Hotel, New York, inspired by Giacomo Casanova’s grasping experts who provided correspondence, accounts and lists; creative process and their creator’s in 1907 (the official story was famous diaries(2) ‘RG’ recorded the attributions and certificates of also typescripts of plays written by milieu. But one of the most distinctive, diphtheria). He thus began his career rise of the modernist market and its authenticity for the market – him, including Notre Dame de la inspiring, written insights to Modern as a partner to Nathan Wildenstein leading practitioners, juxtaposed with particularly Bernard Berenson, who Belle Verriere. Art is possibly the least well known. in a thrusting New York gallery his own passion for 18th century he must have known had an illicit and It was created by the hand of a French enterprise (E. Gimpel & Wildenstein) French painting, books and objet corrupt relationship with the Duveen’s art dealer, René Albert Gimpel (1881- and with strong links to Paris, where d’art. Along the way he observed the (a fact first exposed in detail by NOTES 1945) who revealed a natural flair for Ernest had originally opened shop in mores of wealthy society in Paris, Colin Simpson in 1989).(3) The great 1. Abraham Gimpel’s (b.1817) daughter by his first marriage, Léonne (b.1846) married Felix the amusing bòn mót combined with 1889 in the rue Lafayette. That same London and New York between collectors, patrons and the nouveau Wildenstein. Abraham’s second marriage was a frank and authoritative assessment year, 1907, the company, along with the wars. riche American moguls who to Felix Wildenstein’s sister, Jeanette; their son of the art and artists of his time. Duveen Brothers as major financial ‘RG’ moved in upper middle class dominated the art market prior to Ernest Gimpel (b.1858 Jewish) eloped with JOURNAL D'UN COLLECTIONNEUR Known as ‘RG’ within his family, partners, purchased the legendary circles all his life – and enjoyed the the 1929 crash all feature with incisive Adèle Vuitton (Catholic) against both families Rene Gimpel Gimpel was born into a complex Rodolphe Kann collection in Paris. access this gave him to many leading vignettes and acerbic asides, despite wishes. Their only son, René Albert, was born Editions Hermann. 750pp. structure of inter-marrying Alsace It was an auspicious start for the artists. His circle included Georges the fact his own business was totally Inmates (häftlinge) at the Neuengamme concentration camp. out of wedlock in 1881 – he went on to marry, ISBN: 978-2705680169

8 | BOOK SPRING 2013 www.state-media.com www.state-media.com BOOK SPRING 2013 | 9 h BILL BRANDT CAMERAWORK

Seaford, East Sussex Coast, 1957 Courtesy of the MoMA. Gift of David Dechman and Michel Mercure

HE GERMAN BORN houses at night, theatres, Turkish photographer, Bill baths, prisons and people in their Brandt, enjoyed bedrooms. London has changed so repeated successes much that some of these pictures throughout his career, now have a period charm almost of appealing in turn to another century.' aficionados of various genres of the photo- One of the [minor] criticisms of graphic art. Yet as Brandt’s non-nude photography today he accepted each glittering prize, his is the amount of ‘staged’ images he Treputation was enhanced as a major created – unlike Brassaï, whose candid ‘British’ photographer. Brandt’s early street grabs were totally authentic personal history – and his own fervent depictions. Brandt’s wife, brother disavowal of his German origins – has Rolf Brandt and friends were frequent become the subject of much theorising models in his ‘set up’ scenarios. A by critics and biographers. 1933, now famous, image of a girl The facts of Brandt’s early days are lurking in the red light district of well documented. Born in Hamburg Hamburg at night was in fact his wife, in 1904, the son of a British father Eva. Later, he often went to elaborate who himself had lived in Germany lengths to light each scene, freely since he was five; and German admitting to being greatly influenced mother. The family had a thriving by Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane import/export and banking business. (1941). Night photography had been Brandt grew up during the Great War made possible by the newly developed in a comfortable environment despite flashbulb (the Vacublitz was the turbulent social times. Post-war manufactured in Britain from 1930) he contracted tuberculosis, the although Brandt generally preferred to traditional killer of creative artists, use portable tungsten lamps called not unrelated one supposes to the photo-floods. 1918 epidemic of Spanish Flu(1), and spent much of his youth isolated in For camera buffs, Brandt’s interest in sanatoriums in Switzerland. It was the opticals of Citizen Kane makes here that his interest in photography complete sense. The most innovative was founded. Brandt would suffer ill technical aspect of the film is the health throughout his life (asthma, Jean Dubuffet, 1960 Courtesy of the MoMA. John III Fund extended use of deep focus. In and later, diabetes) and had a constant nearly every scene, the foreground, fear of a TB relapse. Ironically his Pronounced ‘cured’, he stayed with to a whole host of influences and background and everything in wife, Eva Boros (whom he married in socialite Eugenie Schwarzwald – who possibilities, not least Surrealism and between are all in sharp focus. This 1932) had periodic bouts of TB and found him a job in a portrait studio – the work of Eugène Atget (1857- was achieved by cinematographer, critics speculate this is why they spent and met poet Ezra Pound. Brandt 1927) and Brassaï (Gyula Halász) Gregg Toland, through his much time living apart. made one of his earliest portraits of the Hungarian photographer experimentation with lenses and Pound who, it is now assumed, (1899-1984). lighting. Toland often used telephoto In 1927 Brandt went on to Vienna introduced him to Man Ray – Brandt lenses to shoot close-up scenes. Any to undertake a course of treatment would go on to assist Man Ray in In April 1934, Brandt moved to time deep focus was impossible, an for tuberculosis by psychoanalysis. Paris. This introduced the young man Belsize Park, London, and began a optical printer was used to make the documentary series on British life.(2) whole screen appear in focus (visually He had strong family connections layering one piece of film onto with affluent London society and another). Another unorthodox 'I photographed pubs, common lodging thus a privileged entree to the houses method used in Citizen Kane was houses at night, theatres, Turkish baths, of the rich and their servants. Brandt’s the way low-angle shots were used celebrated photographs, Parlourmaid to display a point of view facing prisons and people in their bedrooms.' and Under-parlourmaid Ready to upwards, thus allowing ceilings to Serve Dinner, were taken in the house be shown in the background of [ ] of one of his banker uncles. The maid several scenes. running the bath was called Pratt and The life and work of Bill Brandt she was a regular feature of Brandt’s In 1928, Brandt had purchased one ‘toff’ images. As for the other side of the newly-introduced Rolleiflex TEXT MIKE VON JOEL | MEMOIR MICHAEL BIRT | IMAGES BILL BRANDT of the social divide, Brandt noted: 'I cameras. Its ground glass provided photographed pubs, common lodging a clear view of the subject and the

1010 || BOOKBOOKSPRINGSPRING 2013 2013 www.state-media.comwww.state-media.com www.state-media.com BOOK SPRING 2013 | 11 h THE DARK & THE DRAMA h BILL BRANDT CAMERAWORK

London, 1954 Courtesy of the MoMA. Acquired In 1981 a young photographer, MICHAEL BIRT, got a rare interview through the generosity of Clarissa Alcock with the reclusive Bill Brandt, then universally acknowledged as one Bronfman and Richard E. Salomon of the greatest camera artists of the 20th century.

2¼ x 2¼ inch negative gave Brandt the MINUTES WITH THE MAN latitude he liked for darkroom work, especially cropping. In 1944, he made there was any overt trick…' I answered, but he cut me short and suggested I take the a decisive breakthrough when he portrait. This great man was very taciturn. acquired a mahogany and brass Dressed in a dark jacket and his customary camera with a wide-angle lens: polo neck sweater, he looked almost 'Instead of photographing what I saw, clerical. He had a hushed voice with I photographed what the camera was a trace of a German accent. His early seeing. I interfered very little, and the history was somewhat muddled in many lens produced anatomical images and biographies, mainly because he tried to shapes which my eyes had never bury his true origins. observed,' he noted at the time. The camera, a 1931 Kodak used by the I placed him on a looped-backed chair, police for crime scene records, which was seen often in his nude studies, in front of the window with his head allowed him to see, he said, 'like a directly in front of a small section of wall. mouse, a fish or a fly'. By the 1960’s, Michael Birt When I came to light him, I discovered that Brandt was using a Hasselblad with Portrait of Bill Brandt 26 February 1981 he had antiquated two-pronged round pin a superwide-angle lens to give his electrical power points, it seemed time had portraits that definitive Brandt IKE ALL OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS passed him by. He went off to find one of stamp, especially in the famous and artists, I suppose, at a certain his lights to replace mine, returning twenty series of nudes. moment I appreciated what I was minutes later. The delay was embarrassing. L capable of doing well. Of course The light he gave me was low-powered Aside from his acknowledged London there was always an enormity of doubt just and gave the portrait a gentle look, like reportage series, three collections of around the corner. The photograph I took that of his own. images stand out. The first, Brandt’s of Bill Brandt in 1981 told me that I could The photograph was not working. I was actually take a good portrait. In my early feeling anxious. I asked him if he had taken personal 1937 journey in the shadow Parlourmaid Preparing a Bath before Dinner, c. 1936. days I wrote to my heroes requesting a many pictures in the room we were in and of Orwell and Priestley to the ravaged Courtesy of the MoMA. Horace W. Goldsmith Fund through Robert B. Menschel sitting, he fortunately agreed. he replied, 'just one'. I handed him the Northern towns of Halifax, Jarrow, I sat in my car outside Brandt's flat in book and he opened it up to show me. I was Newcastle and Sheffield. Brandt was Camden Hill, Kensington, forty-five suddenly overwhelmed with excitement for not insensitive to the suffering and minutes early. Watching the clock tick he was sitting in exactly the same place as poverty he witnessed, but the drab slowly by. This was the first time I had been the woman in his picture, the table and monotonal qualities of the sooty, nervous before a session. I very much window clearly visible in his photograph drenched industrial landscapes wanted it to be were also in mine. appealed to his black & white successful, as I know ‘Dressed in a dark jacket I had my portrait. photographer’s eye. He used his deep and love Brandt's work and his customary polo The page of the book contrast techniques to powerful effect, and history. Better than with its white border any other artist, he was neck sweater, he looked leaped out of his dark documenting broken steel and mining one of the most diverse chest as to reveal communities about to be revitalised by almost clerical.’ image makers. Few that his picture came the demands of the Second World War. combined the portrait, nude, reportage from his heart. I had taken six or so frames The second series where Brandt and the landscape in a single body of work. when he asked 'Why do you take so many of demonstrates an outstanding ability I felt an immense sense of occasion. I had the same picture?' Underlining how he to capture the essence of his subject brought some of my pictures with me in the himself worked. matter is the portraits of artists – hope that he might make some valuable After the portrait was over I relaxed and including the brilliant close-up studies comment, but then left them in the car. tried to start conversation again, but to no of artists’ eyes. Brandt’s second wife, I pressed the intercom button, BRANDT, avail. He signed my copy of his book and I Marjorie Beckett, was a fashion editor printed large. The voice of his wife Noya signed his visitors' book. I took one last at Harper’s Bazaar and it is highly every image he ever presented was called me up. The staircase was dark and look about the room, spying the boxes of quiet, the door to his apartment was extra contrast photographic paper, which likely she was instrumental in getting 'It is the collection of nude photographs subjected to extensive modification by slightly ajar. A small and frail man peered were necessary for his style of printing, I him commissions from 1943 onwards. his own hand. A fascinating appendix that defined Brandt not just as a photographer tentatively around it, I entered with shook his hand and left. Brandt’s 1963 study of Francis Bacon in this first class publication that will trepidatious steps. walking on Primrose Hill is arguably but as a world class artist.' have special appeal to creative In 2005, I bought Brandt's Nude 1952, the most eloquent picture ever taken [ ] photographers everywhere. The large room where we stood appeared purchased in instalments. The day I of the painter. 'I always take portraits to be a living room, but its function was not collected the print from the dealer, I sat All images ©BILL BRANDT ARCHIVE/ESTATE in my sitter’s own surroundings. I Courtesy of THAMES & HUDSON altogether clear. It had a large bay window for hours looking at his intense, powerful concentrate very much on the picture landscape-like biomorphic forms with working on an exhibition, Bill Brandt’s which let in a soft dull light, since it was and highly personal world. as a whole and leave the sitter rather to Alice in Wonderland perspectives, all in Literary Britain, when he died after overcast outside. There were many objects himself. I hardly talk and barely look dramatic contrast monochrome. He a short illness. that may have appeared in his photographs Text ©Michael Birt 2013 at him.' published Perspective of Nudes in 1961 – dried flowers, couches, lamps, chairs and www.michael-birt.com tables, they were important features in his featuring nudes in domestic interiors MoMA, New York, have a major work. In fact, it seemed very familiar. But it is the collection of nude and studios; and on the beaches of show of Brandt until 13 August The floor was of black linoleum, and this photographs that defined Brandt not East Sussex and northern and southern 2013. Thames & Hudson’s succinct underlined the sense that this was very just as a photographer but as a world France – using the Hasselblad for the monograph, written by Sarah much a black-and-white photographer's class artist. Begun after the war, Brandt later beach studies. In 1977-8 Brandt Hermanson Meister (Curator in the Northumbrian Miner at his Evening Meal, 1937 Courtesy of the MoMA. John Parkinson III Fund home. I wanted to talk to Brandt, if brought together all his skills and added further studies, published in MoMA Department of Photography) possible at length. I complimented him on amalgamated his techniques to Nudes, 1945-80. is an excellent revision of this modern his new book, a compilation of his nudes one of the deadliest natural disasters in NOTES from 1945 to 1980. I picked out my superlative effect. That 1931 Kodak master. Brandt’s oeuvre is well BILL BRANDT | Shadow and Light human history. 1. The 1918 ‘Spanish Flu’ (January 1918 – favourite image, Nude 1952. He replied, wide-angled lens camera, combined Brandt's last years were spent reissuing demonstrated in 162 duotones Sarah Hermanson Meister & Glenn D. Lowry December 1920) was an unusually virulent 'Yes, everyone likes that, but I shan't tell with his expertise in lighting and his work in a series of books published matched by a scholarly text, with a Thames & Hudson Ltd influenza pandemic which killed c.100 2. Brandt published two books of you how it's done.' 'I was unaware that styling, created images of the female by Gordon Fraser and teaching at the special, explicit section on Bill Brandt’s Hardback 208 pages, 225 illlus. million people across the world – 3 to 5% reportage work, The English at Home (1936) Clare Park Michael Birt body that became surrealist, Royal College of Art . In 1983, he was many retouching techniques – almost ISBN: 978-0500544242 of the planet’s population then, making it and A Night in London (1938).

1212 | |BOOKBOOKSPRINGSPRING 2013 2013 www.state-media.comwww.state-media.com www.state-media.com BOOK SPRING 2013 | 13 h BOOKNOTES h JEREMY GARDINER UNFOLDING LANDSCAPE

the innards of a Purbeck quarry where (primarily for his children) were suddenly they found the fossilised imprint of viable subjects for the new mood in art as an iguanodon’s foot. This, in its embraced by the Leo Castelli Gallery. He visited Warhol’s studio and saw his comic strip way, characterises Gardiner’s total and consumer paintings. The next five year engagement with the Jurassic coast. productive period, up to and including 1965, established Lichtenstein as a major player. Over the years he had continually But even his greatest fans are forced to admit enriched his perception with the use of that the next forty years were variations on a theme in the signature Lichtenstein style. new technology, from Landsat imagery This book is the catalogue of a comprehensive (photos of the Earth from 570 miles in Invisible Heroes exhibition at Tate Modern (until 27 May) that The timeless magic of photography space) to LIDAR, an optical remote WHAT DO ARTISTS do in time of national crisis? tours to the Centre Pompidou (until ONE CAN ONLY imagine the assault on the sensing technology that can measure Sign up for the front line and die? Secure a role 4 November). The Lichtenstein oeuvre is senses when the first photographic images the change in elevation of the land- examined thoroughly via nine scholarly essays, as official war artist? Just occasionally their became available. Especially amongst those scape using pulses from a laser. This talents and skills are put to proper use and in supported by copious illustrations in this large that were involved in the visual arts. The impact this fascinating piece of research – an art book page format . A detailed time-line chronology on painting has been endlessly dissected and enabled a polyvalent synthesis of as well as a military account – Rick Stroud, Art of our time of the artist’s life tracks the key points of his analysed, but of course, it was a two-way street. landscape (near and far, panoramic writer, film director and Chairman of the ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923-97) is a fixture of development. Lichtenstein’s art will endure as The traditions of painting informed and and immediate, above the surface and Chelsea Arts Club, brilliantly conjures to life a mid-20th century art history, a symbol of the long as the Sixties sensibility and influence influenced the embryonic art of photography, beneath) that the Cubists might well continues to enthral contemporary creativity raggle-taggle group of engravers, painters, American dominance, via Pop Art, of the new and to some extent continues to do so – the have envied. In another illuminating cartoonists, sculptors, and their commander, media age of TV sets, refrigerators, space ships and design precepts. His is modern art for the fusion between painting and photography is the Major Geoffrey Barkas (himself an Oscar- and rock’n’roll juke boxes. Lichtenstein was no modern home – and other Mad Men. trending force in contemporary art. A National essay about Gardiner’s working methods winning film director). Together they created youth when he hit the big time, he had just Gallery exhibition examined these precepts in Simon Martin describes the way in a small, specialist WWII unit whose job was to scraped into war service in 1943, but was out ‘The Lichtenstein oeuvre depth (travelling to Barcelona and Madrid until which the laminated plywood ‘ground’ camouflage and disguise allied equipment by ’46 after a fairly safe saunter around Europe September 2013) and the juxtaposition of the that he favours, could be stripped away from the enemy. Stroud focuses on their – he particularly enjoyed Paris. He was serious is examined thoroughly past with the present, when discussing the or ‘excavated’ in ways analogous to greatest success, Operation Bertram, prior to the about expressing himself through art and his rapidly expanding possibilities of early decisive action at El Alamein, which completely early works were attempts to find a voice via nine scholarly essays, photography, almost recreates the wonder of revealing geological strata. The use of fooled the Afrika Korps. These forgotten through the prevailing styles of the time, supported by copious those first examples of what would become the Jesmonite, a casting material which can artists, heroes in their own terms, defied and in the shadow of the heavily intellectual most essential art form of our time. It is also be stained and abraded, reinforces that military constrictions to create extraordinary and essentially un-American Abstract illustrations in this interesting to note how ‘tradition’ is increasingly sense of ‘a compression of time and Jeremy Gardiner painting Hartland Point theatrical illusions using ad hoc materials. Expressionism, dominated as it was by an integral concern of contemporary artists space’. Physically, the result is paintings Original research and exclusive interviews European émigrés (Jackson Pollock would large page format.’ engaged in fine art photography. make this unique study a true classic. break that mould). The crucial year was 1961. which resemble what they depict: His career blossomed by being in the right Seduced by Art: splinters, shards and relics of time. But The Phantom Army of Alamein place at the right time. He had witnessed Allan Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective Photography Past and Present LANDSCAPE IN if Gardiner can fairly be described as Rick Stroud Kaprow’s ‘happenings’ in New York and met J. Rondeau & S. Wagstaff ed. H. Kingsley & C. Riopelle an archaeologist, palaeontologist and Pb. TATE PUBLISHING 352 pages Hb. A&C BLACK/BLOOMSBURY 288pp. Oldenburg. The Mickey Mouse and cartoon Hb. NATIONAL GALLERY/YALE 208pp geomorphologist, he has never been the ISBN: 978-1408829103 characters he had been doodling with ISBN: 978-1849760096 ISBN: 978-1857095456 THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY prisoner of science. His crucial use of new technology has reinforced In 1956 György Kepes, Head of the Light and Color Department at the Institute of design in Chicago influences from painters as diverse as and author of The New Landscape in Art and Science, outlined his intention of finding ‘a common Ben Nicholson, Graham Sutherland, denominator open to both the artist and the scientist’. By the time he was well established in his student career, Piotr Potworowski, Richard Diebenkorn and Terence la Noue who, Jeremy Gardiner had acquired that book and if anyone could plausibly be said to have found that ‘common severally, have contributed to his ideas denominator’, it is Gardiner. TEXT WILLIAM VARLEY | IMAGES COURTESY ARTIST/LUND HUMPHRIES of genius loci and the organisation of space. The squeegeed surfaces of his T NEWCASTLE paintings are sensual, too. Small wonder University however, that one of his favourite quotations he initially engaged in from Tunnard insists that ‘to produce what was to become abstract paintings that are entirely the dominant concern mechanical gives me a sense of loss… of his art, landscape, I think it is very important to paint A modern book of hours An authoritative Photographs from Old myths – new evidence by creating a three-dimensional homage from the stomach as well as the head.’ ANYONE approaching this compact treatise IN THIS GEM of a book the author, Celine reassessment of Matisse the 1970’s to the Present A to the Schwitters Merzbau which is on the erotic drawings of the great Royal Delavaux, takes a simple premise – art that is THERE HAVE been countless pages written IF YOU WANT a reaffirmation that there is ‘nowt Academician, JMW Turner, as a peek-a-boo known but no longer extant – and collects it about Henri Matisse and his art, and one wonders so queer as folk’ then look no further than installed there. Naturally, its sensuous A major exhibition of Gardiner’s book, would be grossly wide of the mark. The together in an invisible, or ‘impossible’, if there really is room for more. But the recent Iain McKell’s candid lens as he edits from flanks and hollows echoed the work, will be shown at Northumbria remnants of Turner erotica have been hotly museum of the mind. The result is accidentally show at New York’s Metropolitan Museum some of his celebrated series, and 35 years of Schwitters original’s bodily and University Gallery, Newcastle, debated for years, along with the role of a book of contemplation and meditation on the (December - March) engendered an documentary photography. McKell tells his landscape metaphors. His true subject, 24 May - 5 July 2013. meaning of all art and its relationship to time exceptional catalogue produced in conjunction own story as he sees it, not claiming anything famously prudish critic, John Ruskin, in time and its residue, had not yet been Evening, Mullion Cove Lighthouse the Lizard destroying many examples. Ian Warrell tells a and space. Delavaux casts her net wide over with Yale. Matisse often revisited images to definitive, but almost accidentally recording Acrylic and jesmonite on birch panel Acrylic and jesmonite on birch panel fascinating tale – as befits one of the leading painting, sculpture and objets d’art – from re-examine what he termed the ‘true painting’ key moments in contemporary history and the found though. The search for it and authorities on Turner – which introduces the pre-history to the current decade – and one and freely experimented with influences he social changes they created. Snaps of friends its fruitful articulation is narrated extensive cast of associated characters: from cannot fail to be surprised at the number of took from other eminent painters; for and associates are interposed with up-close in the book in five essays which ‘Physically, the result is paintings Whistler, the Pre-Raphaelites and Frank Harris, seemingly familiar works that are no more. example, Auguste Renoir. In 1906 he began to and personal images of fetish clubs, travellers, comprehensively analyse his Some ‘lost’; some stolen; other destroyed or reference his own work and this introduced a carnival goers – and a fondness for Southend- to Lady Elizabeth Eastlake, Ralph Wornum and development. Renewing his interest which resemble what they depict: splinters, the National Gallery. Warrell thinly disguises transformed; a few deliberately hidden away programme of pictures in pairs and trios that is on-Sea. McKell himself was brought up in his mild contempt for Ruskin, whose various for preservation; all come complete with a the focus for this book. Fifteen authorities, Weymouth and the transience of a seasonal in the work of John Tunnard, with its shards and relics of time.’ infatuations and obsessions include the genius fascinating back story. Some are depressing, amongst the most eminent in Matisse studies seaside existence appears to have been an synthesis of orthodox space and [ ] of Turner – his oeuvre is subjected to like the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan today, contribute 28 essays on the paintings, early influence on his character. From grainy superimposed lines and planes, he Ruskin’s gamut of quasi-religious mania by the Taliban in 2001; others intriguing – as arranged chronologically. There are 203 monochrome early works taken in his home- nevertheless approached landscapes (the RCA) via a clutch of Fellowships grandmother’s home. (On one occasion with the Romanov jewels and da Vinci’s Leda and illustrations, 150 in full colour and the high town to the vivid colour of the last decade, and repressed sexual fixations. And while through an indirect route: industrial he made his first visits to the USA, he even rented Paul Nash’s former examples of Turner’s ‘failure of mind’ were the Swan. Of the deliberately hidden (for safety) production standards are as one would expect McKell captures the wacky, idiosyncratic and being covertly debated, the aged artist was perhaps the Akrotiri Frescoes at Santorini, of Yale. This is a scholarly tome, and the bio- creativity of the white working class – and residencies. Initially these yielded eventually staying for 14 years while apartment there so he could paint secretly à deux in Margate, with his landlady, Greece, are the most inspirational of all. graphical data on individual paintings included their love of exchanging a humdrum existence dynamic rotating abstracts redolent of teaching in Boston, New York and Ballard Point through the eyes of Mrs Booth. in the exhibition programme is exhaustive. for a brief interlude of unconstrained liberty. Stella’s constructions, but during his Miami. another of his heroes.) In what is The Impossible Museum: career at the RCA, the pressed metal an exceptionally readable book, Ian The Best Art You'll Never See Matisse: In Search of True Painting Beautiful Britain Turner's Secret Sketches forms of cars derived from his visits to He had not forgotten his roots though, Collins gives a vivid illustration of Ian Warrell Celine Delavaux ed. R. Rabinow & D. Aagesen Iain McKell THE ART OF JEREMY GARDINER Hb. TATE PUBLISHING 144pp Hb. PRESTEL 192pp Hb. METROPOLITAN MUS./YALE 272 pp Hb. PRESTEL 220 pp. the Renault Factory in France, and to and made regular transatlantic visits to Gardiner’s extraordinary involvement Wendy Baron et al ISBN: 978-1849760850 ISBN: 978-3791347158 ISBN: 978-0300184976 ISBN: 978-3791347011 Fiat in Italy, gradually morphed into Dorset, particularly Swanage, where he with the Dorset landscape in his Hb. LUND HUMPHRIES 160 pp imaginary landscapes. From there, had enjoyed childhood holidays at his account of their candlelit journey into ISBN: 978-1848221000

14 | BOOK SPRING 2013 www.state-media.com www.state-media.com BOOK SPRING 2013 | 15 h RALPH GIBSON NUDE

HE AMERICAN Clark’s hard edged insight into the artist, Ralph Gibson, drug underworld, Tulsa (reprinted is a ‘photographers’ by Grove Press, in 2000). Of photo- photographer’. Not books, one commentator noted Gibson in the usual sense as saying: ‘...that the deep rich black of that he occupies printer’s ink came closer to conveying Tsome rarefied, obscure corner of the DIVINE [his] ideas than the silver of printing photographic canon, appreciated paper. He was glad to sell original only by anoraks – but in the real, all prints to collectors, but he implied that embracing meaning of the expression. the book pages holding his images For Gibson has not only spent nearly INSPIRATION were truer to his vision’. Historian half a century perfecting his art, Gerry Badger called Lustrum ‘arguably collaborating with many eminent The nude studies of Ralph Gibson the best of the small American photo- contemporaries along the way, but book publishers of the 1970’s’.(2) has consistently been generous in TEXT MIKE VON JOEL | COMMENT ANDY SUMMERS | IMAGES RALPH GIBSON finding time for students, younger From his earliest days behind the lens, photographers and a multitude of fortunate enough to work as an Gibson’s interest in the reproduction of Gibson has photographed women. The institutions and organisations who assistant to Dorothea Lange, whom his work – he prints all his own images female nude has to be the most difficult ask for his participation. he remembers for her inspirational in the darkroom – led him to New of subjects. Every great photographer Gibson’s reputation for big-hearted philosophical musings on the York and the formation of the Lustrum has created a portfolio of nude studies, responses to requests for guidance and photographic art. Coincidently, Gibson Press in 1969. In 1970 he published and to try to find an original and practical advice have made him one of has also had a The Somn- authentic voice, whilst managing that the most popular of the acknowledged close affinity ambulist, fine line between the salacious and modern masters of photography to film, reput- ‘I’m only followed poetic, and between sleaze and the working today. And as such he has edly appearing in 1972 by erotic, requires a true masters’ eye. been the recipient of many professional as a schoolboy as good as my Déjà-Vu, and In addition, to maintain the visual awards and honours.(1) in movies by in 1974 by tension and resonance over some Hitchcock and next photograph’ Days at Sea. 300 consecutive images is a mighty Ralph Gibson was born in Los Nicolas Ray, [ ] The imprint challenge. This large-format book, Angeles in 1939. He got involved in and later has also been with deluxe black cloth binding, a photography, aged 17, whilst in the collaborating with Robert Frank on associated at one time or another with joint project between Gibson and ace Navy at Pensacola, and discovered he Me and My Brother in 1969. He also Robert Frank, Manuel Álvarez-Bravo, Taschen designer, Josh Baker, is a had ‘a vocation’. He studied painting makes his own films today (Red Paul Caponigro, and Robert triumph. Gibson has commented that and photography at the San Francisco Shirley, 2010 – with Lou Reed – has Mapplethorpe. Probably the most one of his key collectors already called Art Institute throughout 1960, being been screened at numerous film festivals). famous collaboration was with Larry to say he prefers the rich, velvety tones

16 | BOOK SPRING 2013 www.state-media.com www.state-media.com BOOK SPRING 2013 | 17 h DIVINE INSPIRATION RALPH GIBSON

In 2004, the virtuoso guitarist ANDY SUMMERS collaborated Books). A decade later, and now internationally recognised with an artist whose work had been a major influence on as a photographer of merit, Summers applauds Ralph his own development as a serious photographer. The result Gibson’s major new retrospective collection of female was Light Strings: Impressions of the Guitar (Chronicle nudes, published by Taschen. A SYMPHONY IN FORM & LINE

N THE EARLY days of my own is what the nude is meant to surrender. attempts at black and white The photographer, in his ability to I photography and amidst a re-contextualise the nude, reveals to the growing collection of photo books, viewer fantastic new geometries. Ralph Gibson’s work hit me like an Gibson sometimes refers to what he electric current. His Lustrum Press calls broken focus, seeing but not seeing. books Déjà Vu, The Somnambulist, There are clear examples of this in Nude, and Days at Sea, with their beautiful where the focus seems somehow to fall of this book over the vintage print about the nature of the subject, it’s NOTES dreamlike pages arrived in my head inside the body, as if reversing normal versions in his collection. As an something which we can continue to 1. His many awards include: Leica Medal like a harmonic sequence. Andy Summers and Ralph Gibson, 2012 perspective. The nude in Ralph Gibson’s experienced publisher Gibson would examine. of Excellence Award (1988), 150 Years of This was a different kind of photography becomes a form that is a have been an exacting client – just how ‘I decided when I was 21 that I could Photography Award, Photographic Society of photography, a luminous re-imagining At the time that I first viewed this work, point of departure. This is visual poetry Japan (1989), a Grande Medaille de la Ville Taschen prefer it! The introductory fulfil my potential with the [Leica] of life through the lens, pictures that I was living in New York, and – as at its purest. Even the most ‘intimate’ d'Arles (1994) and the Lucie Award for text is a conversation between Cal rangefinders. Two best decisions I ever lifetime achievement (2008). Gibson also seemed to exist outside of time. In my serendipity would have it – Ralph and of these photographs rises beyond any Arts grad, Eric Fischl, whose own made in my life was to stick with the received an honorary doctorate of Fine Arts case I reacted to this photography I met. I quickly learned that, in fact, cheap idea of titillation, passes above reputation is based on his ambiguous Leica and to do Yoga every morning...’(4) from the University of Maryland (1991), and more with the intuition of a musician Ralph was also a musician, and an any sexual undertow to reveal what and sexually charged painted a second honorary doctorate from the rather than as a person with a camera. ardent scholar of all types of music. Thus amounts to a new anatomical language. depictions of urban nudity, and the All images ©RALPH GIBSON. Courtesy of Ohio Wesleyan University (1998). He was These three books came as a revelation began a long friendship and an ongoing There are amusing references to Officier de L'Ordre des photographer. The majority of the TASCHEN & RALPH GIBSON STUDIO, NYC. decorated as an and an opening of what was possible dialogue about music, photography, how music dotted among the pages, i.e. a Arts et des Lettres (1986) and appointed, images are in Gibson’s signature high though the camera, possibilities, in one informs the other and how real men contemporary electric violin against a Commandeur de L'Ordre des Arts et des contrast black & white and his modus Lettres (2005) by the French government. my case I had probably only imagined play both the guitar and the camera...! nude back, which bring to mind Man operandi has hardly changed since the previously in the realm of music. For Ray and Kiki of Montparnasse, a Gittler 1960’s.(3) 2. The Photobook: A History, Vol. 1 this was not street photography, social Ralph Gibson’s latest book Nude, guitar against bare skin, a female torso (Phaidon, 2005) realism or any other standard genre published by Taschen, is a masterpiece. strewn across an acoustic guitar. ‘Years ago, my dear friend Helmut 3. ‘I carry two Leica M’s. I have two M6’s and but rather a re-contextualizing and In his photographic exploration of the Newton told me that at the end of I usually take three lenses. A 35, 50, and 90. transformation through sequencing nude, so breathtakingly displayed in the On a different note it might be said that every [commercial] shoot, he would do And one body has colour, one body has black and editing – let alone that each pages of this book, we see a photographer this collection of nudes is an homage to and white. I use Tri-x almost exclusively, but his personal work. And I took this idea photograph was beautiful and obtain an abstraction that is rarely the beauty of women, a paean to desire ‘If I take occasionally I use Fuji 400. For night work in my workshops. I’ve been working with Fuji Neopan 1600. enigmatic in itself. achieved from a familiar form. and a celebration of female beauty. This a picture of a ‘If I take a picture of a nude woman But they’re all souped in Rodinal. For colour Gibson’s ability to transcend the Taschen publication is one of their finest. with a face, it’s a specific person. It I use Fuji Superia 100. It’s 100 speed I was inspired and excited by this original material, in this case the nude, The quality of printing is outstanding nude woman with could be Mary Jane, nude. If I take a negative film. I develop all my own film myself.’ work as it certainly seemed to parallel is peerless. What we observe in this and this retrospective by Ralph Gibson, picture of her arm, that’s a universal – as told to Chris Maher & Larry Berman. things I could imagine in music. Does collection, and in all of his books for one of photography’s greatest modern women’s arm. I’m not very much a photograph have a sound? Maybe that matter, is not only a clear and masters, may stand as the greatest a face, it’s a RALPH GIBSON | NUDE 4. In conversation with Jonas Cuénin interested in nude portraits. We have Ralph Gibson, Eric Fischl (text) it depends on the viewer – but it is an direct visual signature but an unerring collection of nude photography to date. specific person.’ been looking at the nude since the LINKS intriguing thought and Ralph Gibson vocabulary of surrealism, formalism and Taschen (German, English, French) www.ralphgibson.com Text ©Andy Summers 2013 [ ] Venus of Willendorf, 25,000 years Hardback 336 pages, illlus. appeared to have posed the question. abstraction, all of which unfold as if this www.andysummers.com www.taschen.com Andrea Blanche Ralph Gibson 2012 before Christ, and that must tell you ISBN-13: 978-3836528269

18 | BOOK SPRING 2013 www.state-media.com www.state-media.com BOOK SPRING 2013 | 19 h BOOKNOTES h BOOKNOTES

subsequent social unrest across post-war Europe. Cartier-Bresson claimed that Magnum ‘would not have existed’ without Chim, who he regarded as a friend. But each acquaintance had a different reading of the diminutive, dapper photographer. To some he was silent and withdrawn; to others, warm and smiling like a benevolent bachelor uncle. This multi-faceted personality beguiled many – from politicians and world leaders, to Mesmerising camera handbook The multifarious mind David Hockney Julia Margaret Cameron celebrities and fellow artists – he was an Yves Marie sleeping 1974 Paul & Virginia 1864 intimate friend of Greta Garbo and her circle; A SIMPLE concept, brilliantly realised by DESIGNED BY the famously irascible Bill Klein 20TH CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHY A HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY and his portrait of Picasso standing before acknowledged authority, Mary Warner Marien, himself to coincide with his major exhibition at Guernica is a classic. Chim was not overly and essential reading for anyone involved Tate Modern. The photographer and polymath concerned with the technical exactitudes of with photography. Encompassing technical selected all the content, including iconic History in the palm photography, his driving force appears to be breakthroughs and picture processes; through images, painted contact sheets, magazine The essential eyewitness the capture of the moment, being eyewitness photographic genres (for example: photo- covers and previously unseen images, arranged of your hand ‘CHIM’ WAS the tag of a remarkable to the singular event which he records on journalism; collage; war); to contemporary chronologically from the 1950’s to the photographer, co-founder of Magnum and one customary black and white film. It was perhaps interpretations of traditional practice and present. Born in New York in 1929, the painter, WHEN IT COMES to photographic truly fascinating reader experience – of the acknowledged masters of 20th century inevitable that he got killed during a conflict the new technologies. Marien discusses photographer, film-maker and graphic artist books, Taschen have that indefinable even for those with an above average reportage. Born Dawid Szymin (aka David (Suez Crisis), rushing to witness a humane and explains the technical and creative now lives in Paris and is acknowledged as a magic that takes a collection of knowledge of camera art. Seymour) into an educated Jewish family in exchange of prisoners with a colleague, repercussions of one hundred elaborations modern master of photography. Klein’s random images and transmutes them Warsaw, Chim began his career in the 1930’s Jean Roy. He was 44. to the basic chemical/light process of idiosyncratic and highly irreverent manipulation into a dynamic, scintillating journey shooting for left wing magazines in Paris. photography. She also considers the ideas and of whatever medium he works with is ably through time and place. Incorporating All his life he identified with the working socio-political use of images by artists and transmitted through the pages of this excellent some of the most outstanding images class struggle and the dispossessed, and ‘Cartier-Bresson claimed the media today, all supported by arresting book – which covers his famous photo ‘essays’ in the photographic canon, these documented numerous strikes and workers images. Arranged in broadly chronological on New York, Tokyo, Moscow and Paris – and his that Magnum “would not two companion volumes enthral the revolutionary activities across Europe before order, the evolution – and interaction – of surreal movie making and eccentric advertising reader with visual documents of the outbreak of war in 1939 – all depicted have existed” without ideas and technological advances offers a projects. The death of his wife of 60 years, humanity at large, from the dawn of with hard edge realism. His Workers in a bar, neat overview of the history of photography Jeanne Florin, in 2005, diminished Klein Chim, who he regarded the 19th century through to the new Brittany of 1935 might be a clichéd image, but as an art form. Complete with highly considerably. It was one of the artworld’s millennium. Supported by a scholarly, it is light years away from the familial warmth as a friend.’ informative glossary, this stimulating addition great love affairs. This book, already a cult of a Robert Doisneau. He covered the Spanish to LK’s 100 Ideas library should be on every collectors’ item, presents a true 20th century but accessible text, both books – Civil War with Robert Capa and the ruined snappers’ shelf. original in all his unorthodox glory. lavishly illustrated with over 700 A History of Photography: streets of a newly defeated Germany. The We Went Back: pages each – draw on the incomparable From 1839 to the Present Holocaust had a profound effect on Chim, Photographs from Europe 1933-1956 100 Ideas that Changed Photography William Klein: ABC archives of the George Eastman House Therese Mulligan, David Wooters not only the personal losses he experienced Chim ed. Cynthia Young MW Marien W. Klein collection and the Museum Ludwig, Hb. TASCHEN 768pp but the extended psychological damage of Hb. PRESTEL 304pp Pb. LAURENCE KING 216pp Hb. TATE 182pp Cologne. The format is perfect. ISBN: 978-3836540995 the destruction in Warsaw (Ghetto) and ISBN: 978-3791352817 ISBN: 978-1856697965 ISBN: 978-1849760690 Taschen is one of the most significant publishers of photo-related books in the world, and from their oversize, limited edition monographs to these two elegant, compact publications, between, from the Pyramids to the American the Taschen formula of high quality Rockies. These images were often captured reproduction, hip design and at great personal risk, and under extreme educational text, never fails to circumstances, to satiate the 19th century transport the reader. The evolution passion for exotic and alien cultures . of photography is the evolution of But Graham Smith addresses ‘travel’ in its culture and the peoples of the world 20th Century Photography broader sense. The advent of the illustrated stage, and the images contained in Steven Heller, Jim Heimann journals (like National Geographic, b.1888) is these pages are a distillation of our Hb. TASCHEN 760pp put in context, and the role of the topographic personal histories and ancestry. A ISBN: 978-3836541022 postcard. The changing role of the audience – from passive consumer to active participant – Pierre-Louis Pierson Virginia de Castiglione 1865 is tracked from the Great Exhibition through An extraordinary temptress that captivated a generation of French and Italian grandees. A self-obsessive whose narcissism Cook’s travel services and on into modern has been cited as an inspiration for Cindy Sherman. times. The ability of the masses to become Tracking the marvellous Thinking out of the box mobile (often destroying the very sites and The medium and the message THE TRADITIONS of visual art amongst SUBTITLED How a Radical Idea Changed Modern features so carefully documented by those For her 20th birthday, a boyfriend gave Australia’s Aboriginal peoples are over Art, this is a quite superb exploration into the early pioneers) and, thanks to Kodak, the ability her a camera and it literally gave her life 50,000 years old. This puts them on a par with seismic shift in pictorial art in the year 1911, Travelling light a focus. In 1976 she moved to New York examples of cave painting found in Spain There’s no fool... and the immediate period following. ‘A prime THE SPIRITED independent London publisher, ‘In the 21st century there to study photography at the Studio (40,000 years old) and the fact that the example of the power of network thinking’, Reaktion, have developed an outstanding IN THIS SUMPTUOUS large format book, classic style, she went from bedding Museum in Harlem, subsequently she Aboriginal race is still intact and reproducing notes co-author Leah Dickerman. Accessible as series devoted to photography. This ‘imprint’, ‘A fascinating really is no ‘abroad’ as it Farid Abdelouahab explores the stories Napoleon III to a downward spiral received a fine arts MA at the University imagery handed down the generations is truly it is, Inventing Abstraction is not for the casual styled Exposures, is issued in a ‘Photography of 33 women whose intimate liaison insight into the all too of mental illness and penury. A of California, San Diego (1984). marvellous. The commercial boom in the reader. It addresses an informed audience who and ...’ format and is building into an essential would be understood by with artists and writers inspired and fascinating insight into the all too Frequently picturing herself, Weems’ 1970’s for tribal art led to some questionable wish to engage with a collection of profound library for anyone (or institution) seriously anyone pre-1950’s.’ informed some of the most iconic art of human frailties of some human frailties of some notable Kitchen Table Series, completed in practices in the Australian outback, as essays that trace the evolution of ‘works with concerned with the art of the camera. Graham all time. The old adage that ‘behind individuals. 1990, was widely exhibited, including indigenous artists were inveigled to create no discernible subject matter’ (Dickerman) Smith’s Photography and Travel is a typically to record their own experiences, triggered an notable individuals.’ every great man there stands a great MoMA in 1991, and established her portable art for a European market. Many created by a handful of artists who ‘want to erudite and informed examination of the unstoppable momentum in image making. In women’ appears curiously true in the historical detail which bring to life career. Sophisticated and elegant, celebrated practitioners were also elderly and make pure painting’ (Apollinaire). Perhaps influence of photography on the concept of the 21st century there really is no ‘abroad’ as Arts. Perhaps artists are more susceptible the often painful union of these ‘LET ME SAY that my primary concern Weems is a persuasive live performer at more familiar with tree bark and rock faces beleaguered by the mechanical assault of ‘travel’, and reversely, of the wider world it would be understood by anyone pre-1950’s. to beauty and individuality, but these entwined egos. Man Ray, who could in art, as in politics, is with the events and in her video works. But when than modern materials. The West periodically photography and the new Cinématographe on photography as a means to record and The notion of time and place is indelibly women used their allure, magnetism not tame the gregarious beauty, Lee status and place of Afro-Americans viewed from a perspective outside the turns to intellectually authentic ethnic sources (débuted in Paris, 1895), painters at the turn introduce locations previously inaccessible to altered and the contemporary conceptual and wits to captivate some of the Miller. The emotional desolation of in our country,’ is a pretty good cultural arena of America, it is difficult in times of anxiety and the new generation of of the 20th century craved the ‘spiritual’ in art, the majority. Whilst the ability of the newly approach by artist-photographers reflects this cultural giants of our time. Thanks to Edward Weston by the seductive Tina orientation to the art of Carrie Mae not to feel that the stereotypical Aboriginal artists satisfied that desire for and a philosophical dimension (as discussed in discovered camera process to create a detailed in the new directions that have been explored. the miracle of photography, virtually Modotti; and the passionate devotion Weems (born Portland, 1953), the situations she so eloquently defends, art with real meaning. This admirable book manifestoes, treatises and through criticism). likeness fascinated its virgin audience, Smith concludes by considering the notion of all these muses can be admired as of Rainer Maria Rilke for Lou Andreas- Brooklyn based maker of photo- have themselves already folded into a introduces the men and women who have A great strength of this survey is the re- ensuring portraiture was the dominant subject ‘real’ and whether the power and quality of the Abdelouahab reveals their secrets in his Salome. One particular beauty was a graphs, films, and videos – and early new, and different, present reality. This brought a unique cultural inheritance into the positioning of a number of neglected artists and matter, some intrepid cameramen saw the modern image (in all its forms) requires you to illuminating text. Some relationships muse unto herself. Virginia Oldoini, grassroots Marxist. Her dynamic is book is a timely invitation to make an modern age whilst preserving the elements of their reinstatement to the nucleus of a movement intriguing potential of recording far flung actually leave the safety of your armchair at were fiery (Lili Brik & Mayakovsky); later Countess Castiglione, was the racism, gender relations, politics, informed opinion. magic and mystery. that changed the perception of painting forever. places for an armchair enthusiast. Early all? The complete Exposures library is listed at photographic processes were cumbersome and www.reaktionbooks.co.uk. obsessive (Gala & Dali); truculent (Dora much photographed ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and personal identity, in which she Ancestral Modern - Australian Aboriginal Art Inventing Abstraction, 1910-1925 the components delicate. Yet within a short Maar & Picasso) or repressed (Alice of 19th century Paris, having been Muses: Women Who Inspire readily diagnosis the contemporary Carrie Mae Weems: Three Decades of Pamela McClusky L. Dickerman & M. Affron time men were recording Nature from snow Photography and Travel Graham Smith Liddell & Lewis Carroll). Abdelouahab dispatched there by the King of Farid Abdelouahab and historical struggle of black Photography & Video Hb: YALE 176pp Hb: THAMES & HUDSON/MoMA NY 376pp capped mountains to the windswept deserts – Pb. REAKTION BOOKS 192 pp provides detailed vignettes of his Sardinia-Piedmont on what amounted Hb. Flammarion 240pp Americans and simultaneously Hb. YALE 280pp. ISBN: 978-0300180039 ISBN: 978-0500239025 and every remnant and ruin of history in ISBN: 978-1861899125 couplings, loaded with anecdote and to state sponsored prostitution. In ISBN: 978-2080201027 defends and provokes the position. ISBN: 978-0300176896

20 | BOOK SPRING 2013 www.state-media.com www.state-media.com BOOK SPRING 2013 | 21 h BOOKNOTES

Travels with a stencil divorced. He has started from The fractured soul Beyond the limits BANKSY NEEDS no introduction. scratch, undeterred, many times. ARTISTS’ LIVES are always DURING THE last two years, four Thanks to his media notoriety, every- Recently he’s celebrated a come-back imprinted on their work, more or major retrospectives have celebrated body seems to have an opinion – with museum shows and participation less visibly. It’s a bonus to know the the work of Bulgarian multimedia including Brian Sewell, who calls in biennales. Last September, it was back story, but sometimes it’s almost artist, Nedko Solakov. The Icon him ‘a total clown’. There have been Milton Keynes that gave him a major essential to a fuller understanding. Gallery (Birmingham), S.M.A.K. numerous books on Banksy and his retrospective and introduced his Being aware of the Palestinian (Ghent), Museu Serralves (Porto) name has become almost synonymous visionary work to the UK on a larger painter Hani Zurob’s determination and Fondazione Galleria Civica A VISIONARY IN PUBLISHING with the term ‘street art’. He’s also scale, including this publication. to make art and the yearning for his (Trento), were all invited to select THE FIRST TEN YEARS OF TROLLEY BOOKS one of the most searched for artists in Born in 1940 as Terje Brofos, homeland, adds another dimension one work from each year of his Google, as well as a favourite meta tag Pushwagner was one of the first to viewing his body of work. prolific career, from the first to use by attention-seeking art writers. Norwegian artists exposed to 1960’s The essay by Kamal Boullata, exhibited works in 1980 up to Claimed to be written on ‘the back American Pop Art, which he saw another Palestinian artist exiled a 2010. This book brings all these of de-faced ten-pounds notes in a at the Leo Castelli gallery. Roy generation earlier, is an in-depth together in an ultimately more cellar in Shoreditch’, this new Lichtenstein and James Rosenquist account of Zurob’s journey from the complete story, starting with publication by Carpet Bombing were the main influences, and, as Rafah refugee camp to his life now heavily annotated and incredibly Culture thankfully puts aside the Natalie Hope O’Donnell observes, in Paris, and the experiences that thorough print-outs from his studio desperate hunt for Banksy’s true his art is both a celebration and formed him. Zurob was born in archive. identity. Instead of simply parroting critique of American culture. 1976 into a Gaza Strip reality of daily Bulgaria has gone through major LAUNCHING VENICE BIENNALE 2013 popular and sensationalist views, it Pushwagner’s collaboration with conflict and house searches. His changes in those three decades, BOOK AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER PLEASE VISIT goes through a whole list of them, writer and poet Axel Jensen led, generation grew increasingly unhappy from a totalitarian regime to an WWW.TROLLEYBOOKS.COM one by one, explaining and defending entry into the EU in 2007. Solakov him, as if he were on trial. It puts the started making a name for himself facts straight, using a language that in the late 1980’s, just before the fall reads well and a voice that is of the Communist regime and he has entertaining. Yes, he’s shot to an FOUR ARTIST been charting the changes in the incredible level of fame, but it wasn’t society throughout, including overnight – or a motivation for him bringing up some unpleasant to produce work – it’s claimed here. MONOGRAPHS questions – such as the secrecy He might have painted a zebra in the REVIEW: MICHAELA FREEMAN surrounding state police files (in wrong part of the world, but he also most other countries released into backed off from New Orleans realising amongst other works, to a comic with the Arab leaders’ compromises. the public domain). that his activities might interfere with series Soft City (1969-72). Lost for They rebelled and demonstrated, What becomes evident in the book the city’s essential clean up. He might decades until its rediscovery in 2000 but in return had their educational is Solakov’s surprising superstition Photo: Philip Jones Griffiths - Gigi in Venice at the start of production for ‘Agent Orange’, 2003 have copied the legendary Blek Le Rat, and consisting of 269 drawings, Soft institutions shut. Illegally crossing and his unique way of tackling but has that not in turn introduced City is cited as his most important body Israel, Zurob escaped to an art serious issues with unrelenting Blek to a whole new, younger British of work and one that he’s revisited school in Nablus and got his hands humour, such as when he made a audience? What the book suggests throughout his career. Inspired by on paint for the first time, aged 18. work about a dispute between reaktion books is that Banksy is the one repeatedly George Orwell’s 1984, Huxley’s After his graduation, he moved Russia and Bulgaria over the ACC PUBLISHING GROUP taken advantage of, and forced to Brave New World, as well as James to Ramallah, the Palestinian rights to manufacture AK-47 guns. PUBLISHERS OF HIGH QUALITY BOOKS return fire by refusing to authenticate Joyce’s Ulysses, it depicts ‘one day in administrative and cultural centre. Solakov seems to have his own Picturing Atrocity works ripped out from their original a life of a man, containing his whole The negotiations of the 1990’s to unique trajectory, unafraid to locations and shipped across the life’. Subdued by pink pills, the set up a Palestinian State looked experiment. If he feels the notes Photography in Crisis world by greedy gallerists. protagonist conducts his life in a pattern promising, but nothing came out of are important, he just scribbles Geoffrey Batchen, Mick Gidley, Photographs in this book feature paralleled by others in an endless them. On the contrary, conflicts them onto the actual artwork or Nancy K. Miller, Jay Prosser not only his well-documented work, repetition. Soft City warned about increased. Zurob was arrested and around it in the gallery; and his fear ‘These vivid, lucid essays make an invaluable but also international and less increasingly controlled urban life at had his artworks destroyed. of flying didn’t stop him making a contribution to the history of photography and notorious pieces, emphasising the the time of the frantic construction No wonder that when he left for work for Swissair. Solakov’s star provide a model for active looking and critical importance of the powerful site- of council estates all over Europe. Paris in 2006 for a 6-month artist is on the rise and you are very likely engagement. Highly recommended.’ – Choice specificity of Banksy’s street works. Nevertheless, the series carries a residency, the feeling of freedom and to come across his work at future A no-nonsense, must-read book slightly comical tone compared safety was simply overwhelming. major showcases (he’s already paper 320 pp 77 illustrations, 25 in colour £20 reflecting today’s culture and politics. with the later set of paintings – Warned about a possible arrest on shown twice at Documenta and Apocalypse Frieze – a decidedly his return, he stayed in Paris, where seven times at the Venice Biennale). darker, hallucinogenic vision of an he now lives and works. This book is a fantastic all-you- over populated world, with people Boullata’s cogent essay not only need-to-know volume with a EXPOSURES starving and killing each other. analyses the relationship between the staggering amount of over 2,000 This is the perfect publication to life and the work – fully documented illustrations and excellent ‘ , familiarise yourself with the life and in numerous reproductions – but it explanatory essays. In a little gem of a series Reaktion have addressed the questions work of an exceptional artist and the also puts Zurob in context with of place, time and hegemony in many illustrations, with detailed other Palestinian artists and the Banksy: You Are an Acceptable Level of Threat photography, investigating the cultural texts, allow a full immersion into the Arabic literary tradition, as well as and if You Were Not You Would Know About It mores of significant nationalities and Gary Shove and Patrick Potter Pushwagner’s dystopian world. recounting the recent problematical juxtaposing these with parallel studies Hb. CARPET BOMBING CULTURE. 228pp history of the Palestinian nation. ISBN: 978-1908211088 of how photography became a successful ingredient in (for example) Song of Norway Literature, Science and Cinema . . . the Exposures collection builds to a HARITON PUSHWAGNER, an seductive reference library of provoking extraordinary figure in Norwegian Nedko Solakov and authoritative illustrated texts art and its ultimate l’enfant terrible, All in Order, with Exceptions . . . a triumph’ – f22 has spent a considerable portion of Pushwagner ed. by Jonathan Watkins. ed. Spira/O'Donnell Contributors: Iara Boubnova, AVAILABLE TO BUY ONLINE his life running between Oslo, Paris All paperback with flaps, approx. 192 pp Contributors: Lars Bang Larsen, Between Exits: Paintings by Hani Zurob Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, WWW.ACCPUBLISHINGGROUP.COM with 100 colour and duotone illustrations and London. Sometimes homeless, Martin Herbert, Natalie Hope O’Donnell, Kamal Boullata Christy Lange et al. £17.95–£19.95 often drunk or using drugs, frequently Will Bradley and Petter Mejlænder Hb. BLACK DOG PUBLISHING 192pp Hb. HATJE KATZ 400pp ACC Publishing Group, Sandy Lane, Old Martlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4SD losing his work, getting married and Hb. ART/BOOKS 304pp ISBN 978-1908970008 ISBN: 978-1907317910 ISBN: 978-3775731720 Tel: +44(0) 1394 389950 | Fax +44 (0) 1394389999 Email: [email protected]

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