Customer Reviews

Joel-Peter Witkin (55)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

WARNING: amazon seems to have merged (a little TOO conveniently) reviews for two DIFFERENT BOOKS. Some reviews listed here refer to "Joel-Peter Witkin (Phaidon 55s)" by Eugenia Parry (Paperback - January 5, 2001) - with pinkish border around a photograph on the cover. But this book seems to be out of print.

My review refers to a 2007 Photology series book (all b&W cover with the image of a head and lillies). They are not the same book, or even two editions of the same book.

For those who hope this will give them a review of, and some insight into, Witkin's work, this will be a disappointment. Yes, the reproductions are of very good quality, but at the book's size, most of the fascinating DETAIL of major pieces is lost. I remember seeing a Witkin exhibit at the Reina Sofia in Madrid years ago (that included many pieces reproduced here), and part of the fascination with those images comes from studying the large images up close. While I realize that to talk about "size" in reference to photographs is somewhat strange, the book does not list the actual sizes at which those images were printed for their original, exhibit presentation - this is important, since based on the repros in the book, most people will have no idea that there were originally very large prints. The book also includes only a few close-up / detail plates, and as far as I can tell, none at the actual print size. Alas, ALL the commentary there is, is a 6 page (very small pages, with very large print) general intro.

PLEASE NOTE that, misleadingly, one of the reviews listed on this page refers to a different, now out-of-print book: there is NO commentary on individual images in this book. The very general, brief intro is ALL there is.

I have a couple of these volumes and they are wonderful. The reproduction quality is very good and the comments on each image are informative, interesting, and concise.

Phaidon has a great habit of producing well produced books on the visual arts and their photography volumes are no exception. It would be difficult to find a better value.

There is no cheaper way to become aquainted with the work of master photographer and artisan, Joel-Peter Whitkin. His work is renowned world wide and skillfuly reproduced in this book. My only complaint on this selection is that the book is small and this makes it difficult to view some of the images.

Creative black and white pictures. Dark and surreal. Witkin seems to be a little obsessed with hermaphordites. this book has alot to say about human sexualality, and humans realtionships with plants, animals, religion, death and the dark part of the human pysche. if nudity offends you don't buy this book.

i'll let the pics speak for themselves, other than to say this is some of the most original, moving and gruesome work i've ever seen - sometimes all three at once. if you're easily offended and/or expecting "erotic" nude photos, stick to the suicide girls. this is more like the work of dave mckean or bill sienkiewicz than that of avedon or elliott erwitt...but that's just my opinion (and they're both great; just not as bizzare.)

This book is kind of freaky. I purchased it for the reason that it is freaky. I got it because I was born after the eras of carnival sideshows. It has a lot of disturbing images... well to most people I assume. This guy probably could have taken those pictures of aborted fetuses that people stand with on the corner. Yeah grotesque like that. One photograph is of a dead horse hoisted above someone with a huge erection next to their head. Keep an open mind if you want to get this book. As a side the photographic technique is excellent.

Excellent gift for the goth high school girl. Or just to freak someone out, including yourself.