Customer Reviews

Stems

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

 

 

This is a sensuous still life study of stems and gorgeously printed. The subject does not really matter: it might be called The Joy of Seeing. The three dimensional effect of these photographs makes for an unexpected joy .
A barbarian might cut the book up and frame the individual pages to hang on walls. The printing is superb. Could not think of a better photography gift.

Lee Friedlander's monograph on STEMS not only represents a tender history of an artist's temporary battle with physical restriction and pain, it is also one of the more eloquent collections of black and white photography on a narrow subject to appear in book form.

These beautifully photographed and equally beautifully printed and presented series of images were taken when Friedlander was confined to sitting, a position not compatible with a photographer out in the fields of the world capturing life as it continues in motion. But due to physical restrictions, Friedlander had to either be artistically silent or elect to combat his dilemma by using his camera to study the simple beauty of nature at hand. And, so like his proclivities in all of his art, he elected to use the stems of flowers and plants as subject, including the cylinders and vases of water into which they had been placed. Some of the more eloquent photographs come at the end of the portfolio when Friedlander captured the containers of his subjects in the empty state - levels of water in class containers alone and in tandem. The results defy written description: these are subtle, tenuous, fragile works of art with few peers as still life.

The production of this portfolio is in keeping with the content: the cloth covered cover is in a mossy green and the binding, quality of paper and of reproductions is of the highest order. This is a unique and very beautiful book. Grady Harp, January 06

I first caught a glimpse of Friedlander's _Stems_ displayed in the MoMa store in New York. It is a gorgeous book, sitting in front of me now. I keep it open at my desk instead of an actual vase of flowers- the images are somehow haunting, melancholy, and oh so still and hushed all at the same time. If you've ever chosen a bouquet of flowers not only for their color but for their structure or shape, the ragged and choppy line of a cut orchid, or smooth sweep of a calla lily, you will adore these photographs.

yes, this is a wonderful magical book. essential even. and yes, i can imagine people breaking the binding and framing favorite images. it's that good. it reminded me that imogene cunningham turned to flowers when she had to stick around the house. who but friedlander wd think of sticking w/ the stems through glass vases. the design is a gift.