Performance: Richard Avedon - Hardcover

Gregory, Andre; Lahr, John; Nichols, Mike

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810972883 ISBN 13: 9780810972889

Publisher: Abrams, 2008

Synopsis

"Performance" sizzles with the electric charge that passes between a great photographer and an incandescent artist when they share a purpose and a passion. The photographer Richard Avedon had, in his own words, 'a passion for high-definition performance and a faith in the religion of perpetual acceleration'. Or, as critic John Lahr says of Avedon, 'He was ravished by the articulate energy of great performers'. The preeminent stars and artists of the performing arts from the second half of the twentieth century offered Avedon their greatest gifts - and, sometimes, their inner lives. More than two hundred of them are portrayed in "Performance", many in photographs that have rarely or never been seen before. Of course, the great stars light the way: Hepburn and Chaplin, Monroe and Garland, Brando and Sinatra. But here too are the actors and comedians, pop stars and divas, musicians and dancers, artists in all mediums with public lives that were and are essentially performances. The celebrated author and critic John Lahr offers an elegant assessment of Avedon's achievement. Four supremely talented artists from the performing arts - Mike Nichols, Andre Gregory, Mitsuko Uchida and Twyla Tharp - contribute lively and moving memoirs about their collaborations with Avedon. Finally, "Performance" is a remarkable achievement in book-making, from its innovative portfolio binding to the superb quality of its printing. Bound into a unique cloth portfolio case and includes facsimile printed on special paper.

About this title

Review:

A magnificent compilation of over 200 photographs, many of them unknown.
-- Intelligent Life (The Economist) September 2008

From the Author:

Richard Avedon was one of the most influential photographers of the second half of the twentieth century. His portrait work comprises an authoritative record of his era. Avedon re-definied the fashion photograph. In 1992 he was named the first staff photographer in the history of The New Yorker. John Lahr is Senior Drama Critic of the New Yorker. Mike Nichols in an award-winning stage and film director, writer and producer. Andre Gregory is an American director and actor. Mitsuko Uchida is a highly acclaimed classical pianist. Twyla Tharp is an award-winning dancer and choreographer.

About this edition

• Publisher: Abrams
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0810972883
• ISBN 13: 9780810972889
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304