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Phyllis Galembo: Mexico Masks Rituals Hardcover – May 21, 2019
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The acclaimed photographer of African masks turns her lens to the astounding mask cultures of Mexico
Since 1985, photographer Phyllis Galembo has traveled extensively to photograph sites of ritual dress in Africa and the Caribbean. In her latest body of work, collected in this new publication, Galembo turns to Mexico, where she captures cultural performances with a subterranean political edge. Using a direct, unaffected portrait style, Galembo captures her subjects informally posed but often strikingly attired in traditional or ritualistic dress.
Masking is a complex tradition in which the participants transcend the physical world and enter the spiritual realm. Masks, costumes and body paint transform the human body and encode a rich range of political, artistic, theatrical, social and religious meanings on the body. In her vibrant color photographs, Galembo highlights the artistry of the performers, how they use materials from their immediate environment to morph into a fantastical representation of themselves and an idealized vision of a mythical figure. In a gorgeous, fascinating photographic survey of Mexico’s masking practices, Galembo captures her subjects suspended between past, present and future, with their religious, political and cultural affiliations—their personal and collective identifications—displayed on their bodies.
Photographer Phyllis Galembo (born 1952) received her MFA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1977, and was Professor in the Fine Arts Department of SUNY Albany from 1978 to 2018. A 2014 Guggenheim Fellow, Galembo has photographs in numerous public and private collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Public Library. Her photographs of ritual masks in Africa, the Diaspora and beyond have been the subject of several monographic publications, including Maske (Aperture, 2016).
- Print length196 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherRadius Books
- Publication dateMay 21, 2019
- Dimensions9.6 x 1.2 x 10.5 inches
- ISBN-10194218557X
- ISBN-13978-1942185574
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"As societies change and practices disappear or are transformed, [Galembo's] portraits not only retain the details of cultural production, they also serve as a continuing celebration of creativity and a reminder of the value of human diversity." - Lyle Rexer, Photograph Magazine
"[Mexico Masks Rituals] illuminates the transformative power of costume and ritual." - Something Curated
"In a gorgeous, fascinating photographic survey of Mexico’s masking practices, Galembo captures her subjects suspended between past, present and future, with their religious, political and cultural affiliations—their personal and collective identifications—displayed on their bodies."
"...Galembo’s images offer an awe-inspiring counterpoint, a rare bridge onto a culture in which creativity and self-expression are close to the divine.
Brought together in a new book, Phyllis Galembo: Mexico Masks Rituals, the fascinating survey captures cultural performances with a subterranean political edge."
"In her vibrant colour photographs, Galembo highlights the artistry of the performers, how they use materials from their immediate environment to morph into a fantastical representation of themselves and an idealised vision of a mythical figure."
"Mexico Masks Rituals restores the mask — and the political, cultural, religious and social messages it can telegraph — from tourist commodity to its role as an artifact of ritual and celebration."
"Mexico Masks Rituals advances the artist’s passion in a concentrated study of celebrations that blend colonialist and indigenous socio-religious practices in Mexico."
"Galembo’s book is a riot of colour – celebrating the individuality, creativity and craftsmanship that goes into these masks and costumes. Organised by festival, each collection of photographs is prefaced with text explaining the customs and figures that appear in each ritual. Bright, theatrical, uncanny at times, but full of life, it’s a fascinating, beautiful study."
"Mexico Masks Rituals amounts to a rich survey of a nation’s cultural and religious practices, highlighting performative ceremonial rites that have adapted to the present while celebrating the past."
"Mexico Masks Rituals offers vivid portraits of people costumed as Easter Wise Men and shepherds, as jaguars and foxes and tigers, as demons, as skeleton women in elaborate gowns, as indigenous peoples resisting Spanish colonists. [...] Dazzling masks of contemporary Mexican festivals."
"Mexico Masks Rituals features the country’s cultural performances tinged with a subterranean political edge in the form of intricately detailed, colorful masks and costumes."
"Students of ethnography, dance, and even costume design or fashion will value this title. The intensely colorful images, aided by the attractive graphic design, will captivate photography enthusiasts."
"In her new book Mexico Masks Rituals, Phyllis Galembo photographs the captivating art made exclusively for ritual."
"Mexico Masks Rituals, a book that compiles ten year’s worth of her captivating photography in the country."
"Delving into the ritualistic aspects of the native Mestizo, Galembo helps to retrieve a deeper appreciation for the transculturation of the natives."
Product details
- Publisher : Radius Books; Bilingual edition (May 21, 2019)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 196 pages
- ISBN-10 : 194218557X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1942185574
- Item Weight : 3.5 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.6 x 1.2 x 10.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,461,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #839 in Individual Photographer Monographs
- #1,520 in Portrait Photography
- #2,514 in Travel Photography (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers praise the stunning photographs in the book, with one noting how they capture exquisite detail of costumes and masks. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting the insightful text. Customers find the book better than expected for its price.
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Customers praise the stunning photographs in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating how they capture exquisite detail of costumes and masks.
"...I enjoy seeing the detail of the costumes and the masks. The layout is lovely too...." Read more
"This is a gift for my sister who loves Mexico and Mexican folk art." Read more
"...And yet this volume stands alone. The photos are excellent, startling, revealing, intriguing, and compelling...." Read more
"I love her photography and her choice of subjects. I, literally, have stopped purchasing books in printed form...." Read more
Customers find the book offers good value for money.
"...It's a treasure to have. I can't believe it's priced so reasonably." Read more
"Beautiful photos. Quality book binding and paper. Worth every cent." Read more
"Better than expected at this price..." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one noting it is superbly printed and another finding the text insightful.
"...The text is insightful, and is sure to add to your knowledge on this specialized and fascinating topic. An amazing book! Treat yourself." Read more
"...From the layout to the printing, writing and mostly her stunning photographs, not only capture exquisite detail but the personalities of those whom..." Read more
"Such a beautiful book - captivating photographs, printed superbly. It's a treasure to have. I can't believe it's priced so reasonably." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2021As a photographer who specializes in photography in Mexico, I admire the amount of work that went into Phyllis Galembo's book. She traveled all over the country doing this documentary work which is very impressive. I normally don't like posed photos, however, in the context in which they are featured in this book it really works for me. I enjoy seeing the detail of the costumes and the masks. The layout is lovely too. A wonderful book for anyone who's interested in the culture of Mexico.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2023This is a gift for my sister who loves Mexico and Mexican folk art.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2019I have a whole library of books on masks, ethnic tribal regalia, and ritualistic costumes and talismans.
And yet this volume stands alone. The photos are excellent, startling, revealing, intriguing, and compelling.
The text is insightful, and is sure to add to your knowledge on this specialized and fascinating topic.
An amazing book! Treat yourself.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2020I love her photography and her choice of subjects. I, literally, have stopped purchasing books in printed form. I saw this book and knew instantly that I needed the coffee table, art book, print form that I used to buy 20 years ago.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2019I've been collecting Galembo's photo books for years and love them. Mexico Masks Rituals is by far my favorite. From the layout to the printing, writing and mostly her stunning photographs, not only capture exquisite detail but the personalities of those whom she photographed.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2022Outstanding
- Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2019I found this at a museum store and bought it for a friend. It's so special I ordered a copy for myself.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2019Such a beautiful book - captivating photographs, printed superbly. It's a treasure to have. I can't believe it's priced so reasonably.
Top reviews from other countries
GMAReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 20244.0 out of 5 stars 4 Stars because this isn't even the best - but it's still amazing!!
Having come across Phyllis Galembo's work in West Africa, amongst those who partake in Mami Wata spiritual practices and water spirit worship, this is a far cry and a more contemporary take on Mexican spiritual shamanic culture (shamanic in the sense the costume allows you to take on a spirit), compared to her more historically indigenous works.
Either way, if you are truly into photography as a form of ethnography, archaeology, and history then Phyllis Galembo's work will truly take you places that your legs may not be able to carry you to.
In my opinion, her work is definitely on the same level (if not more academically rigorous) than Sabastio Salgado's.
AND... She's a woman.
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h hReviewed in France on November 23, 20193.0 out of 5 stars insatisfaisant - livre mal préparé, mal recherché
je m'attendais à un livre de la qualité des autres ouvrages de la photographe, et au niveau de la photographie, c'est parfait. mais, ayant vécu longtemps au mexique, une chose me saute aux yeux : l'omniprésence dans le livre de masques commerciaux, à peine personnalisés. je me souviens qu'il y avait dans les fêtes foison de masques merveilleusement créatif, sculptés dans du bois et peints, qui prenaient source dans les traditions indiennes : le livre n'en montre que peu - si vous souhaitez voir ce type de masques, allez sur mexicandancemasks.com et fouinez dans les catégories - déçu

