China [Hardcover]

Edward Burtynsky (Author), Ted Fishman (Author), Mark Kingwell (Author), Marc Mayer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 2008

Edward Burtynsky's imagery explores the intricate link between industry and nature, combining the raw elements of mining, quarrying, shipping, oil production and recycling into eloquent, highly expressive visions that find beauty and humanity in the most unlikely places. These images are metaphors for the dilemma of our modern existence: we are drawn by desire--the desire to live well and in comfort--yet we all know that the world is suffering to meet those demands. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into uneasy contradiction and feeds the dialogue in Burtynsky's images between attraction and repulsion, seduction and fear. Burtynsky's latest body of work gives visual form to the industrial and urban transformation of China, a place where industrial forces are gathering on a scale that the world has never experienced before. If the earth's resources were up to now under siege through western colonialism and technological progress, then China is on the brink of a sweeping assault on the planet's ecosystem that is only just forming and is nowhere close to expressing its full impact.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Steidl; First edition (November 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3865211305
• ISBN-13: 978-3865211309
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 14.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #839,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A significant and breathtaking record, June 13, 2007

By 

Stephen Best (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: China (Hardcover)

As a record of this time in the world's history ... the dismantling of local industry around the world in tacit acquiescence of China's future dominance ... I can't think of a more significant body of work in the medium. The images herein are truly breathtaking for their scale. Burtynsky has a privileged view and uses crisp large-format photography to lend authority to his vision. The monumental is not without a humanizing touch as can be seen best in his beautiful ship-building images. This is a wonderful book with images that one can marvel at for their execution whilst viewing with trepidation for their portent. The printing and presentation complements the images.

5.0 out of 5 stars This + "Manufactured Landscapes" = the DVD, December 31, 2008

By 

LF Shooter "Ted" (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: China (Hardcover)

If you like crystal clear, razor-sharp images full of rich detail that only large format photography provides, you'll like this book. You'll like it even more if you appreciate the subject matter -- urban, industrial subjects that you wouldn't expect to be "picturesque"... But with Burtynsky's eye and the magic of LF, you'll find an interesting combination of artistry, the "omigosh" effect, and a ponderous implicit social comment all wrapped up into one. These are not snapshots; they're carefully planned & executed at great cost and trouble -- that's LF. But the results are impressive and the images are not easily forgotten.

I was introduced to this photographer by fellow large format shooter, Tom Paiva, who is understandably inspired by Burtynsky; Tom shoots industrial subjects at night. I have this book and "Manufactured Landscapes", both of which contributed the still images to the *most excellent* DVD, "Manufactured Landscapes". If you like the book, get the DVD!

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting landscape, March 26, 2007

By 

lucille "lucy" (PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: China (Hardcover)

Large format, interesting photographs of China. I was worried his work might not translate in a book, but if you like his work, not to worry about that.