Empire: Impressions of China (Imago Mundi series) (Hardcover)

~ James Whitlow Delano (Author, Photographer), Orville Schell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The people of China are changing the face of their country with tremendous tenacity, and often with their bare hands. Sometimes, it seems as if not a single plot of ground remains unturned or unproductive. The changes are so rapid and so prolific that the photographer finds himself constantly a step behind, chasing memories. The ancient rhythms of China, once thought to be eternal, are being muffled as the country begins to look more and more like everywhere else in the new Asia. Change is a constant in China that provokes mixed feelings in photographer James Delano. The light, muted by the ever-present coal smoke, possesses a certain softness; people’s faces are smudged, their eyes hungry and ambitious. This generation may be rough around the edges, but they are on the way up, sacrificing for their children and grandchildren; they are nation-building. No matter how much China transforms itself, a certain degree of ‘Chineseness’ will always remain. The question is, how much? For Delano, immersing himself in a country means quietly wandering the backstreets of the cities, towns and villages and, for a few moments, slipping unnoticed into places and situations. He passes quickly and quietly, capturing the immediacy he seeks without disturbing the scene. Too slow, and he risks losing the moment forever. This strong photographic exploration delves beneath the surface of its subject: a study of light, energy, emotion and China’s reaction to the intrusion of a foreign observer. This book presents a critical, at times ironic, but always informed vision of the nation and its people.

About the Author

James Whitlow Delano’s ongoing photographic work has taken him from the rainforests of Southeast Asia to the ancient Silk Road in China’s far west. Focusing on Asia’s vanishing heritage in the face of rapid industrialization, Delano has been drawn to China time and again. Photographic assignments have also taken him to the highlands of Latin America, Europe and Africa. His photographs have appeared in important magazines all over the world, including Time and Travel & Leisure, and received major awards.

Orville Schell was born in New York City. He has devoted his professional life to reporting on and writing about Asia, in particular about China. Schell is currently the Dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of Berkeley.

Colin Jacobson runs the MA Photography program at Falmouth College of Arts, Cornwall. He has written widely on contemporary photography and has been the jury of the World Press Photo Contest, twice as chairman.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: 5 Continents Editions (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8874391277
• ISBN-13: 978-8874391271
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #679,136 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A for EFFORT!, September 13, 2005

By	T. Gibbs (Belhaven, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm thankful that some publisher was wise enough to feature James Whitlow Delano's work in his very own book. But I'm sorry it was Imago Mundi. Why couldn't it have been Phaidon, Scalo or Taschen? They could have really done his work some justice.

What are my complaints one might ask. Well my main issue with the book is the fact that the images are muddy and far darker than his work actually is. You see, I learned of this book in an interview with Delano on a DVD produced by LensWork magazine. The DVD, which is a far better investment than this book, goes into detail about Whitlow's career, his origins in photography and his influences. Unlike this book, the DVD also features 160 of his works and they are presented far better than anything in this book.

Do I recommend this book? Well not for anyone who's looking for an introduction to his. I would suggest LenWork's DVD/CD set or Delano's own website for that. But if you are a fan or collector then you probably wouldn't need my input to begin with. I would only urge someone to purchase this book in the hopes that Delano can benefit from the sales and continue to fund his future projects. Maybe if other publishers find that there is interest in publications of his works, then someone who is truely capable of producing a quality presentation may just step forward.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Pictures, Shame about the Printing, April 9, 2008

By	Gordon Ray (Atlanta GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love his work so I was pretty dissapointed in the printing quality in this book. I'm still giving this book 4 stars though because he's an exceptional photographer. I hope a quality publisher will do his next book though.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chronicle of a Death Foretold, September 22, 2005

By	David Geraghty "David" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

I write this knowing that the Agfa paper James Delano has used so far in his career, is about to be discontinued -- like many of the rural locales he chronicles in this book. And there is no better elegy for Agfa's silver paper than this collection of images, where Delano uses the paper to breath-taking effect. The images have an elegiac quality, everyday Chinese moments that have been caught and wrapped with a shimmering, silver timelessness. My favourite is the rural woman crossing a wooden bridge with her two infants - black and white photography at its very best. Elsewhere, Delano has manually dodged the paper to near-black, forming blurred images that have the mystery and power of half-buried archetypes.

Agfa is gone, thank God for Ilford!