Gabriele Basilico -Silicon Valley [Hardcover]

Sandra Phillips (Editor), Filippo Maggia (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2008

This large format book explores, in more than 100 black & white images, the "phenomenon" called Silicon Valley. Gabriele Basilico’s background in both photography and architecture qualify him particularly for this look at both the landscape and buildings of this region. Published on the occasion of the Gabriele Basilico exhibition at MoMA San Francisco (January 2008), this catalogue also includes 70 never-before-published photographs of San Francisco. An introductory essay by Sandra Philips explores his work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gabriele Basilico, born in Milan in 1944, first studied architecture, a discipline reflected in his photography. His landscapes avoid human presence and explore the complex interrelationships between built environments and natural ones. Filippo Maggia lives and works between Milan and Turin and collaborates with art journals both in Italy and abroad. He has curated more than 50 group and solo exhibitions and teaches Contemporary History of Photography and Design at the European Institute of Design in Turin. Since 2006 he has been Photography Editor at Skira. In 2007 he received a visiting fellowship from the Royal College of Art in London.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 162 pages
• Publisher: Skira; 2007 edition (February 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8861303005
• ISBN-13: 978-8861303003
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 0.8 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,923,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Putting the Valley into perspective, May 15, 2009

By 

Robin Benson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gabriele Basilico -Silicon Valley (Hardcover)

Another winning title from architectural photographer Basilico. The one hundred and forty photos present San Francisco and surrounding suburbs in gorgeous detail and I don't suppose Basilico will mind if I say that he and Lee Friedlander seem to take similar shots. Both have the knack of capturing an ordinary suburban street scene and turning it into a photograph rich in detail that recedes into the distance.

Actually many of the street level shots of San Francisco have the added benefit of street furniture and utility wires that further break up the images into intriguing sections. In the suburbs surrounding the city, where the wires are underground Basilico still finds great shots of ordinary houses, retail and commercial centers. Most of the photos are black and white and as he is a great architectural photographer you will soon become aware of the strong perspective element to the building shapes, especially in the many corner images throughout the book. All the photos are devoid of people which contributes to the stillness and perfect framing in virtually ever shot.


The first twenty-five pages have four short essays about this part of California and Basilico's thoughts on what he saw (incidentally there are some photos on these pages with short captions set in the smallest typeface I have ever seen in a book). There is one aspect of the publication that really impressed me: the paper. A matt art that is as smooth as silk and it's a pleasure to feel it as I turn the pages. It really brings out the best in these photos though they are only in a 175 screen.

This is Silicon Valley as it should be seen. A remarkable visual treat.

***SEE SOME INSIDE PAGES by clicking 'customer images' under the cover.