Overview
The big, bold, seductive, and surprising color photographs of German photographer Andreas Gursky (b. 1955) set forth a stunning image of our contemporary world of high-tech industry, international markets, big-time sports, fast-paced tourism, and slick commerce. This large-format volume—published in conjunction with a major retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art, New York—presents the first in-depth study in English of Gursky's art.The most adventurous of the celebrated students of influential German photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher, Gursky has earned acclaim at the leading edge of contemporary art with a polished signature style that draws upon a great diversity of ideas, precedents, and techniques. Created in collaboration with the artist, this oversize book surveys the fullness of his work to date with gorgeous colorplates, generous two-page details, and a wealth of supporting illustrations.
Author Biography: Peter Galassi is chief curator of the Department of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Among his recent books and exhibitions are Walker Evans and Company and American Photography: 1890-1965.
Synopsis
Published in conjunction with the spring 2001 American retrospective at The Museum of Modern Art in New York of Gursky's work from 1984 to the present. The photographer's color images capture the world of high-tech industry, global markets, easy travel, and slick commerce around the world—international stock exchanges, hotels and apartment buildings, sporting championships and parliaments, and midnight raves attended by thousands. The illustrated essay by Peter Galassi (curator, department of photography, The Museum of Modern Art) explores the artistic contexts, working methods, and evolution of Gursky's art. The book contains 133 illustrations (115 color, 18 duotone), and an exhibition chronology. It is oversize: 13.75X12.25", and is distributed by Abrams.
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Library Journal
Gursky's retrospective at New York's Museum of Modern Art this spring (now showing in Chicago) was just the latest achievement by this German photographer, ranked among the half-dozen most important art photographers now working. Galassi, MOMA's chief photography curator, does an excellent job of tracing the artist's influences and development in his engaging essay. Moreover, the illustrations of work by his mentors, especially Bernd and Hilla Becher, as well as of his own early work, commercial work, and school projects, are highly informative. The 59 large-format plates (48 of them from the 1990s) forming the catalog that follows concentrate on his mature themes: massive and empty modern buildings, crowded public spaces filled with frenetic, impersonal activity, and landscapes that most often look at a built topology. The combination of his unique, painterly use of the camera and his ability to capture the beehive of contemporary society (whether the images are occupied or not) rightfully have earned him his current position. This best available overview is highly recommended for all libraries. Eric Bryant, "Library Journal" Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.