Running the Numbers: An American Self-portrait [Hardcover]

Chris Jordan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 2009

Statistics can be daunting and dry: 1,000,000 trees cut down every year; 9,000,000 American children without health insurance; 2,000,000 plastic bottles used every five minutes; 2,300,000 adults incarcerated in U.S. prisons. Renownedphotographer Chris Jordan brings these staggering numbers to life in manipulated digital photographs that are at oncealluring and shocking. A landscape of toothpicks, each representing a felled tree, stretches into the horizon; a loopingmaze of plastic cups reveal how many are used each day on airplane flights; fashioned from soda cans, a replica of a Seurat masterpiece becomes a lesson in waste; and thousands of Barbie dolls-representing the number of breast augmentations performed each year-combine to depict a woman's torso. Filled with astonishing photographs ofsurprising beauty, this book, manufactured from recycled materials, helps us grasp visually the potential consequencesof our culture of waste.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

CHRIS JORDAN'S work has been widely exhibited in the United States and Europe, and was recently shortlisted for the first annual Prix Pictet in Paris. His recent exhibitions include In Katrina's Wake: Portraits of Loss from an Unnatural Disaster.A" Jordan lives in Seattle.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Prestel USA (April 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791342835
• ISBN-13: 978-3791342832
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 12 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,272,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mind blowing art as social commentary, August 21, 2009

By 

Judith Gass "Judith Ansara" (boulder co) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Running the Numbers: An American Self-portrait (Hardcover)

Chirs Jordan has created an astounding body of work shown in beautiful detail through this book. If you are open to being really awake to the impact of American and ultimately world- wide consumption of goods - then get this book. It is totally beautiful and hugely sobering. My hope is that others will buy it and be inspired to make a stand, to give this book to others. Chris has devoted himself to using his art to bring our attention to the tragedy and impact of our choices. And we do have a choice. Expect to be shocked. Decide to make a difference. And I am NOT Chris's friend though I would like to be.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Amazing work...but at what cost?, July 16, 2010

By 

Tweak268 (Abu Dhabi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Running the Numbers: An American Self-portrait (Hardcover)

I agree, this work is very high impact and it delivers an important message in a quite spectacular manner. I, however, don't have a copy. I checked out his work on his website (great website), and while I was there I noticed that his studio is selling the book for just $45, well worth a look before you pay way above the odds here!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing work!, October 19, 2009

By 

Donald H. Whitebread (Mountain View, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Running the Numbers: An American Self-portrait (Hardcover)

I met Chris Jordan when he presented this and his Katrina photography at an event in San Francisco. He was modest and thoughtful, and it was obvious that he was deeply committed to his work. I'm happy to see someone with his vision and talent receiving well deserved recognition.