Paolo Roversi: Studio [Hardcover]

Paolo Roversi (Photographer)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 386521164X | ISBN-13: 978-3865211644 | Publication Date: January 15, 2006

Paolo Roversi is known internationally for his romantic, intense, and ethereal fashion images and portraits, photographs that quiver on the edge of their own seemingly fragile existence. A typical Roversi picture appears as if captured in the process of becoming--it develops on the page before our very eyes or, depending on perspective, it might simply vanish into the ether. Since 1980 Roversi has worked primarily with 8-by-10 inch Polaroids, and rarely on location. Studio is a milestone in his burgeoning bibliography. Designed as a series of 60 gatefolds, at first glance the book appears to be a collection of empty pages. The experience of looking is akin to that of peeling away the leaf from a Polaroid--out of the blackness an image is revealed as if by magic. In images that represent nearly two decades of work, the collection offers a self-portrait of the artist and a window into the place where he creates his art. These photographs are a mix of both the published and the highly personal, but all have the intimacy engendered by that place where Roversi feels most at home.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paolo Roversi was born in 1947 in Italy. He currently lives in Paris, photographs for Harper's Bazaar, and has led numerous publicity campaigns for such illustrious clients as Christian Dior, Cerruti, Valentino, Yves Saint-Laurent, and Comme des Garcons. His preference for shooting in the studio, using an 8-by-10-inch Polaroid, results in portraits that reveal an acute understanding of the history of photography.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 60 pages
• Publisher: Steidl/Dangin (January 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 386521164X
• ISBN-13: 978-3865211644
• Product Dimensions: 14.7 x 12.9 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,725,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Is that it?, October 15, 2009

By 

Young Forest (New York, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: STUDIO (Hardcover)

I am pretty disappointed by this "accessible trade edition" as it is presented in the "Product Description." The limited edition was a series of 60 gatefolds. Being in the publishing business I understand how expensive that would be to produce--clearly prohibitive for a more standard trade edition book that is to sell at a more modest price. The limited edition was described on amazon as follows, "...at first glance the book appears to be a collection of empty pages. The experience of looking is akin to that of peeling away the leaf from a Polaroid--out of the blackness an image is revealed as if by magic...." It seems to me that Mr. Roversi and the publisher could have at least included one or more gatefolds in this trade edition to offer the viewer a taste of what the original limited edition is like (which is now only available on the secondary market and at vast cost). I think it fair to assume that this book was originally conceived of in its limited edition form. If so, then why not preserve that original creative thinking and integrity, even if only in small measure, and allow those of us who can only afford the "accessible trade edition" to experience it.

I continue to be a fan of Mr. Roversi's work but this book, specifically this edition of what was a considerably more interesting concept, does not serve him well. The images contained in this book are not among my favorite of Mr. Roversi's work (I consider the collections of images in Nudi and Una Donna to be stronger) but I cannot help but feel that they are enhanced by the gatefold presentation of the original edition. Once you take away the "magic" of their being revealed out of the blackness as you peel away the fronts of the gatefolds, it does not seem to me that the images by themselves, and as presented in this trade edition, have enough magic of their own. There is a darkness about them to begin with and it is almost as if you need that extra blackness that the gatefolds provide in order to bring out the light to be found in these particular images.

Rather than buying this book, do what you can to see a copy of the original edition and experience the work as it was intended to be experienced. I am not sure the original edition is worth owning for the kind of money some secondary market sellers are asking but it is certainly worthwhile to at least look through one, if you can find it, and experience it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful printing...amazing pictures..., October 12, 2009

By 

W. chang "loveteddybear" (Los Angeles, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: STUDIO (Hardcover)

long waiting...I placed an order months ago...finally, it arrived the past weekend.

I am a fan of Paolo Roversi...and this book is just beautiful. Not many pictures (maybe I have expected more, and would love to see his more recent work to be included), but, the book is printed on this beautiful, fancy black paper...

All the pictures carries his dream-like look and feel...most portraits...some his studio space...all images are just breath-taking beautiful...

But, I have to say...I do like to see more images though...

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book !, October 13, 2010

By 

Oliviergorre - See all my reviews
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This review is from: STUDIO (Hardcover)

For me it's a very good book. I like Paolo Roversi and black and white pictures...