Series | Experiencing Reading – THE READING EXPERIENCE – | Part 12: "The Complete Photobook"
Series | THE READING EXPERIENCE
This Month's Three Books | May.2014
Part 12: "The Ultimate Photobook"
The encounter with a life-changing book can happen in an instant. To find such a special volume, we introduce three photobooks and artist books selected by Atsushi Hamanaka of twelvebooks, a book hunter who travels the world in search of them. Beautiful to look at, pleasant to touch, and stylish to display. Welcome to the world of tangible books.
This series, which has guided us into the profound world of photobooks through various perspectives, is finally reaching its conclusion. Gracing the finale is a giant of the photography world, Martin Parr. However, this time he appears not as a photographer, but as a photobook collector. We present a meticulously curated "photobook encyclopedia" compiled from his and photography critic Gerry Badger's global collection, presented with a unique approach. After reading these three volumes, will you understand everything about photobooks?
Selected by HAMANAKA Atsushi (twelvebooks)
Photographs by JAMANDFIX
Text by TANAKA Junko (OPENERS)
The Dawn of the Photobook to the Post-War Era
Photobooks are said to have originated in Britain in the 19th century. For photographers, they are an important tool for releasing their work to the world. For readers, they are a crucial medium for understanding the photographer's thoughts and vision. Despite this, photobooks have rarely been discussed until now. "Then, why don't we?" – that was the sentiment that led Martin Parr and Gerry Badger to take action. In "The Photobook; A History Vol.1," they meticulously explain over 200 photobooks, from the early days of the medium to the reportage photobooks of the 1930s, and the radical photobooks born in Japan from the 1960s to the 70s.
"The Photobook; A History Vol.1"
Authors | Martin Parr & Gerry Badger
Publisher | Phaidon Press (http://uk.phaidon.com)
Size | 298 × 258 mm / Hardcover
Pages | 320 pages
Personal Copy
Published in 2004
Photobook Creation After World War II
Published around the same time as "The Photobook; A History Vol.1," "Vol.2" continues to unravel the history of photobooks as it evolved over time, with detailed explanations of over 200 titles. This volume, in particular, introduces numerous photobooks that made a significant impact on the industry with new approaches, such as the art photography that reflects the photographer's individuality, exemplified by Stephen Shore's "American Surfaces," and the comprehensive photographic studies of a single subject. How did photobooks transform after World War II? The full story is now revealed.
"The Photobook; A History Vol.2"
Authors | Martin Parr & Gerry Badger
Publisher | Phaidon Press (http://uk.phaidon.com)
Size | 290 × 250 mm / Hardcover
Pages | 320 pages
Personal Copy
Published in 2006
Hidden Desires, Ambitions, and...
Following the globally acclaimed "The Photobook; A History Vol.1" and "Vol.2," the third installment, "Vol.3," is released after a decade-long hiatus. This volume sheds light on the latest "photobook landscape" by presenting various concrete examples, from the self-publishing boom to propaganda photobooks reflecting photographers' anger and ideologies, and the impact of the internet and social media on photobook creation.
"The Photobook; A History Vol.3"
Authors | Martin Parr & Gerry Badger
Publisher | Phaidon Press (http://uk.phaidon.com)
Size | 290 × 250 mm / Hardcover
Pages | 320 pages
Personal Copy
Published in 2014
Atsushi Hamanaka
Representative of twelvebooks. In March 2010, he established "twelvebooks" as a platform to promote the activities of publishers and artists with unique styles, focusing on contemporary photography. In addition to handling domestic distribution of foreign books and magazines, he engages in activities related to books and images, including planning, selecting, and directing photography exhibitions. www.twelve-books.com
Photo by Daisuke Hamada