Photographs by Robin Friend. Essay by Robert Macfarlane. Loose Joints, 2018. 104 pp., 51 colour illustrations, 9¾x11x½".
Bastard Countryside collects together 15 years worth of exploration within the British landscape, dwelling on what Victor Hugo called the ‘bastard countryside’: “somewhat ugly but bizarre, made up of two different natures”. ...
Carlo Brady works at photo-eye Bookstore as a photobook specialist. He holds a BA in photography and studio arts from Hampshire College. You can reach him at carlo.m.brady@gmail.com
Carlo Brady selects Korea - Part 1 Photographs and text by Michael Kenna published by Gallery K.O.N.G., Seoul, South Korea, 2019.
"Korea – Part 1 begins with a brief text from Michael Kenna. “I always enjoy locations that have mystery and atmosphere, perhaps a patina of age, a suggestion rather than a description, a question or two… Korea is still, technically, a country at war which dramatically and visually affects its appearance and atmosphere.”
The images themselves are delicate, if distant, consolidations of relatively few elements. Kenna’s photographs are pervasively quiet and delightfully formal. ...The book is comprised of two sections. The first is largely natural landscapes with images of a temple mixed in. The second half is initiated by the study of several lifeguard watchtowers along the shoreline moving north to the DMZ. These watchtowers are photographed in a somewhat onerous yet sedate way.
Situated on desolate stretches of beach, the towers suggest ad-hoc penal or biding punitive gestures. Their position against the sea is disquieting. Kenna’s images do not attempt a description of the complexity of the Korean Cold War. They do, however, stand in deference to the anxiety and pacing tragedy of the standoff."—Carlo Brady Read more
Book of the Week: A Pick
Each week we ask a renowned photographer, publisher, curator, editor or other photobook expert to pick a book that they are currently reading — one that they are excited about and would love to share.
Sign up and receive advance notices of Book of the Week: A Pick. By subscribing you'll have advance notice of books that may sell out quickly.
