Sleeping Beauty: Memorial Photography in America Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was interested to find "Sleeping Beauty" after reading about it on the webpage of the PBS documentary "Death In America," which was based on this book. Unfortunately, I discovered it was out of print, but managed to borrow a copy through an interlibrary loan. I found it to be utterly fascinating. Some of the photos were beautifully done, resembling quietly sleeping children, while others were quite disturbing as the subjects were very obviously deceased. Particularly shocking were a pair of photos, one of a little boy lying on a bed with his toy ball, staring sadly at the camera, and another of the same boy after death. It is a sad reminder of the fact that the infant mortality rate during this time was so high, and often these were the only portraits the family might have of a child. It is incredible to think that a family might treasure such mementos, but I think of the now fairly commonplace practice of photographing miscarried or stillborn babies, and understand to an extent the need to have "proof" that this person existed.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sleeping Beauty: Memorial Photography in America

Click here for more information about Sleeping Beauty: Memorial Photography in America

Read More...

Spectacular Bodies: The Art and Science of the Human Body from Leonardo to Now Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is one of the most fascinating art books to cross my path in some time. The subject is the artistic representation of human anatomy.
This is the occasion for a fascinating tour of curiosa. Of course, you have a sequence of Dutch and American anatomy theatre group portraits. More interesting is the sculptures in wax of dissection, surgical, and anatomical models, handmade by what were apparently a group of mostly Italian scupltors. A fellow named Clemente Susini was apparently the Michaelangelo of this field. What makes these interesting is that they are not, as in the -Gray's Anatomy- images, merely displayed. Many are dramatically posed, in the overdone, theatrical poses of baroque painting. The image of them gesticulating as they spill their guts is mildly disconcerting.
There is an extensive discussion of écorché figures, flayed figures that display skinless human musculature. Collections of skeletons and bones, often arranged dramatically rather than clinically, are also featured. There is a large selection of ethnological portraits, and photographs of the insane.
The text is largely sympathetic to these forgotten creators who sought to combine art and science. Identity politics and post-structuralist hoodoo intrudes only slightly on the text, much less than you'd fear given these subjects. A fascinating book for those who are not easily disturbed.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Spectacular Bodies: The Art and Science of the Human Body from Leonardo to Now

Click here for more information about Spectacular Bodies: The Art and Science of the Human Body from Leonardo to Now

Read More...

Time Stands Still: Muybridge and the Instantaneous Photography Movement Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been drawn to the photographs of Eadweard Muybride since childhood -- the jumping horses, running goats etc. have always fascinated me -- but here the author does much better than simply repeat these incredible photographs. He tells you what happened before Muybridge came on the scene; the incredible struggles and sneaky tricks used to make pictures that looked like motion frozen in time. The book is very easy to read - serious, but written in a breezy style that is very accessible. I would recommend this for any history of photography or cinema student. It goes into depth about things that have really never been studied before. Very provocative, highly educational, and very entertaining.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Time Stands Still: Muybridge and the Instantaneous Photography Movement

Click here for more information about Time Stands Still: Muybridge and the Instantaneous Photography Movement

Read More...