Genetic Self-Portrait [Hardcover]

Gary Schneider (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

This first edition clothbound book includes 64 four-color and 55 halftone reproductions. To produce most of the images in Genetic Self-Portrait Schneider worked with internationally acclaimed scientists and utilized advanced imaging systems to present an intimate look at himself from dramatic handprints to individual chromosomes. The New York Times Magazine has recognized the ground breaking significance of genetic self-portrait and featured a large selection of the work in their important Millennium series. The work also has been exhibited around the world and is scheduled to tour to major international institution in 2000 and beyond. The book is a ground breaking exploration of the infinite possibilities that define who we are and celebrates the art and science of fine printing. Printed on a rich uncoated paper at The Stinehour Press the book captures all the subtleties, grace and texture of Schneider's original prints. Genetic self-portrait also includes insightful and informative essays by Lori Pauli, Ann Thomas and Bettyann Holtzmann Kevles.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gary Schneider is an internationall exhibited artist. The work in the book was first exhibited at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, California in 1998. It has also been exhibited at the Musee de L'Elysee, Lausanne, Switzerland, the Millennium Exhibition in Lisbon Portugal at the Culturgest, the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, and will be presented in a solo exhibition at the International Center of Photography in New York in February, 2000

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Light Work (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935445099
• ISBN-13: 978-0935445091
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,772,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this is a truly amazing body of work, March 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Genetic Self-Portrait (Hardcover)

The images in this book reveal a truly original take on the self-portrait. The merging of science and visual art has been a popular theme this past decade (especially in photography) but it is so fully realized in Schneider's work that it leaves me speechless, and with a new awareness of beauty. If only more contemporary art could be this satisfying.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Marriage of Art and Science; See "Portraits" for Additional Info, March 13, 2006

By 

ReviewerWhoPrefersToBeAnonymous (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Genetic Self-Portrait (Hardcover)

The 1999 book "genetic self-portrait" (in all lower case, so I'll refer to it as "gsp") was meant to accompany an exhibition of the same name, but it can be considered a work of art in itself. The artistry is apparent starting with the 21x26cm black cloth covers with silver embossed text. A photograph of a Y chromosome is glued to the front cover, while the frontispiece (just after the front free endpaper) contains a photo of an X chromosome.

The bulk of "gsp" consists of 30+ pages of gloriously-reproduced, toned black-and-white photos on black backgrounds related to Schneider's body. We find DNA sequences, hands, a gene, irises, chromosomes, retinas, teeth, DNA which "has no function," dried blood, hair, an oral mucosa cell, sperm, and ears. The imaging processes vary from photograms to microscopy to fundus camera to X-ray, per the eight pages of notes toward the end of the book. Although "scientific" in origin, the photos are presented in an "artistic" manner in layout, cropping, etc.

Three essays, each 4-5 pages long, complement the photos: "The Portrait in the Age of Genetic Mapping" by Ann Thomas, "Warm Hands, Cold Eye: Gary Schneider's Dissection of the Self-Portrait" by Lori Pauli, and "Portrait Without the Camera Face" by Bettyann Holtzmann Kevles. Although the essays overlap somewhat, they are all well-written and informative. Obtain this unique book from Amazon.com!

BTW, to learn more about the "gsp" series, buy the 2004 book "Gary Schneider: Portraits" (Harvard Art Museum) from Amazon.com. Pages 26-29 of that book contain a discussion of "gsp" by Deborah Martin Kao. Plates 33-38 have installation views of the exhibition at the International Center of Photography. Plates 39 (retinas), 40 (DNA DYZ3/DYZ1), 41 (hair), 42 (hands), 43 (ears), and 44 (irises), and page 116 (Y chromosome), have some of the photos from "gsp". Plates 45-47 have "later additions" (lips, mask, intestinal flora) not in the "gsp" book. On pages 113-115 are excerpts from Schneider talking about the series.