Review by Gerhard Clausing • Sometimes it is refreshing to see a top photographer's first photographic project that has not previously been published. Recently I reviewed Roger Ballen’s reissue of his first documentary project, boyhood, and noted that it showed many instances of the promise that was later expanded and realized in many different ways.... Continue Reading →
Ruth Walz – Theater im Sucher / Theater Through a Lens
Review by Gerhard Clausing • Stage photography, especially when it involves theatrical productions, is both a craft and an artistic endeavor requiring great skills. Not only do you have to be in command of your photography, but you also have to be a talented communicator, dealing with the director of the play, with the actors,... Continue Reading →
Sky Wilson – Neighbours
Review by Gerhard Clausing • Portland, Oregon, is one of my favorite cities and has remained so, even as it is in transition, as many other cities are as well. My recollections are that it has the largest bookstore in the world, and that it is full of interesting people, many of whom have a... Continue Reading →
Ian Howorth – A Country Kind of Silence
Review by Gerhard Clausing • In his very perceptive essay for this photobook, Harry Gallon provides a very important insight: “Place exists as the altar of our everyday existence.” He goes on to discuss the multiple layers of history that weigh heavily on all the locations that were photographed by Ian Howorth for this astonishing... Continue Reading →
Kostis Argyriadis – DD/MM/YYYY
Review by Gerhard Clausing • To interpret the trivialities of everyday life is not an easy task, but it is an interesting challenge. In contemplating such subjects, personal recollections that are stored in each person’s memory will be applied to what is seen, and some cultural understanding may also come in handy. Thus the work... Continue Reading →
Smita Sharma – We Cry In Silence
Review by Gerhard Clausing • The trafficking of humans for nefarious purposes has gone on for centuries and is still practiced today. Poverty and/or the promise of some economic gain are usually the motivating factor on the part of the perpetrators. Often relatives or close 'friends' commit these betrayals that assault human dignity. Whether it... Continue Reading →
Thurstan Redding – Kids of Cosplay
Review by Gerhard Clausing • Cosplay is a fun activity. You take your innermost thoughts out to be seen in public, as you embody, through your costume and makeup, a fictional character you admire, showing yourself as your personal hero or heroine to everyone out there. These personalized and externalized emotions can be seen at... Continue Reading →
Charles Fréger – Aam Aastha: Indian Devotions
Review by Gerhard Clausing • I know from my experience with students acting out various drama roles on the stage, in a foreign language even, that the most effective performances take place when the role is totally internalized and performed not just from the mind but also from the heart. It is at that moment... Continue Reading →
Andreas Herzau & Holger Noltze – Bamberg Diary #1, #2, #3
Review by Gerhard Clausing • Bamberg is a Franconian town in Bavaria with a substantial history going back at least 1,000 years. I was able to visit Bamberg this past summer; the juxtaposition of ancient traditions and contemporary approaches are a delight to experience. Part of that culture is a distinguished Symphony Orchestra that is... Continue Reading →
Jason Langer – Berlin
Review by Gerhard Clausing • To me, the fact that human beliefs can result in the intentional deaths of others has always been an unfathomable tragedy. Whether it is local warfare against minorities or worldwide imperialist campaigns against some groups, the goal in all these instances seems to be the enforcement of the preferences of... Continue Reading →