BLINK.: 100 photographers, 10 curators, 10 writers - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0714844586 ISBN 13: 9780714844589

Publisher: Phaidon Press, 2004

Synopsis

BLINK. presents the work of 100 of the world's most exciting contemporary photographers, selected by 10 internationally acclaimed critics, curators and creative directors. An exhibition in a book, BLINK. showcases up-and-coming talent from all parts of the world, enabling the reader to stay one step ahead of emerging trends in the fast-changing world of photography.

It serves as a unique reference tool for photographers, artists, designers and all those interested in contemporary culture and the image. BLINK. further provides a rare insight into the deliberations of an esteemed, international panel of selectors: the 'experts' making key decisions about the future of photography.

Each curator was commissioned to choose 10 photographers who have broken new ground on the international photography scene in the last four years. BLINK. includes some acclaimed figures, such as Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Vik Muniz and Rineke Dijkstra, whom the selectors consider set to become household names over the next few years. Other photographers, such as Tomoko Isoda, Shirana Shahbazi and Marc Asnin, are gaining recognition for their innovative work and are on the verge of global emergence.

The photographers' pages are listed in A-Z order, featuring two double-page spreads of recent, exemplary images, a short explanatory text from the curator, and detailed biographical information. In a series of 10 essays written especially for this publication, the curators describe their decision-making process and reflect on the nature of contemporary photographic practice.

In addition to the photographers, each curator has chosen an extract - written since 1995 - which they feel best illustrates the cultural context surrounding contemporary photography. The 10 works reproduced in the book range from cultural studies to fiction, from criticism to journalism.

BLINK. takes its place in a series of surveys identifying 100 of the most interesting, cutting-edge practitioners of key art forms. Earlier surveys include cream and Fresh Cream: Contemporary Art in Culture, 10x10 and 10x10_2: 10 critics, 100 artists. BLINK. is an incredibly exciting event in the world of photography and, like its precursors, is set to become a highly sought-after collector's item.

About this title

Review:

Take 10 internationally renowned curators and ask them to choose 10 of the world's best photographers: the result is Blink, a stunning Phaidon book containing hundreds of beautifully reproduced photographs by acclaimed photographers from all over the world. A "snapshot of the world of contemporary photography", Blink brings together curators as diverse as Marcelo Brodsky, Alasdair Foster, Shino Kuraishi and Simon Njami to introduce and write about "the kaleidoscope of ideas, approaches and techniques that is photography today".

Cleverly, the curators keep their comments on each of their chosen photographers to a minimum, allowing the photography to speak for itself. Artists are introduced by a very brief essay by their respective curators, followed by a short bibliography and four pages of photos. The geographical and artistic range of the collection is extremely impressive. From the worlds of fashion photography, represented by Tina Barney and Steven Klein's "daring and courageous" pictures of Brad Pitt, to the politically charged work of Milagros de la Torre, Manit Sriwanichpoom and Sanja Ivekovic's extraordinary images of contemporary female models juxtaposed with the titles of Second World War Resistance heroines, the collection reveals the sheer range of breadth of contemporary photography. Blink seamlessly embraces fashion, documentary and digital photography. In the work of Samuel Fosso and Diana Thorneycroft it captures the ways in which the camera is transforming how we understand our bodies, while the disturbingly banal photos of Tierney Gearon and Paul M Smith change the way we look at our everyday domestic world. These are just some of the wonderful photographers and images captured in this sumptuous book, which reveals the vibrancy of photography at the beginning of the 21st century.--Jerry Brotton

Review:

'BLINK. is a wonderful book ... a photographic roller-coaster ride on a global scale ... adventurous ... This is what BLINK. is all about, going from one genre to another, from one unexpected discovery to another: a photographic surprise party.' (Free-Eye)

'Beautifully structured, cool and calm in its appearance ... a discreetly paced book full of rigour.' (Design Week)

'A truly international mix which makes an interesting and useful compendium of work.' (Creative Review)
 
'Phaidon's epic Blink is the year's finest compilation.' (Wallpaper*)
 
'A treasure-trove of photography.' (Frame, The Netherlands)
 
'Due to the diversity of their specialisations and nationalities, the photographers included cover a wide range of styles, from documentary to fashion.' (The Art Newspaper)

'Magnificent ... gives as broad a picture of life on Planet Earth as it is possible to imagine.' (Sunday Business Post)

'When you have seen a few of these photographs, your eyes feel rinsed. The world looks more like a movie, and you don’t want to miss it.' (The Times)

'Who are the most noteworthy image-makers of today? Whose work will we be clamoring for tomorrow? Look for the answers in the new publication, Blink. This 480-page rectangular book, with the neat, baby blue, barcode-style cover, features 100 of the most exciting contemporary photographers, selected by 10 international critics, curators, and creative directors. It is a not-to-be-missed who’s who hot list, presenting talent in all styles of contemporary photography - from fashion, to art, photojournalism to digital.' (Picture)

'The international coverage is impressive. So is the quality of the photography, which is as visually stunning as it is stylistically diverse ... Blink is a feast of imagery that proves, with ardor and style, that the world of contemporary photography is extensive, vibrant and incredibly diverse.' (Planet) 

' Blink’s very ambitious goal is to span the breadth of what photography is today, and there is something for everyone ... Blink is more analagous to a sourcebook than an exhibition - a place to start, a place to learn what is out there and what it looks like.' (Photo District News)
 
'An exhibition book that provides an up-to-the-minute, global view of contemporary photography. All styles of photography are represented - from fashion to art, from photojournalism to digital photography. An authoritative reference and source of inspiration for professionals and newcomers alike, Blink enables readers to stay one step ahead of emerging trends in the fast-changing world of photography.' (STEP Inside Design)
 
'An ambitious survey of 100 contemporary lensmen and women whose photography ranges from fashion and nature to journalism and digital. Also a handy guide, it expresses the diversity and complexity of the medium.' (City)

'This chunky book is recommended for anyone who wants to stay current with the many permutations in the field of contemporary photography, from fashion to photojournalism to everything in between ... Blink is generously illustrated and supplemented with essays by 10 additional writers and biographical information about each photographer ... Contrary to its title, Blink is a book that invites prolonged surfing.' (The Miami Herald)
 
'Substantial in size, the book simply and beautifully highlights the pictures, virtually eliminating the need for words.' (I.D.)

About this edition

• Publisher: Phaidon Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0714844586
• ISBN 13: 9780714844589
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 448