francisgan

[francisgan]

<REPOST FROM PURGE> It’s always a cause for celebration whenever a new Filipino photobook gets published. It’s a rare event, and I’m happy to report that in this instance, the excitement is warranted. Brian Sergio presents a wild gathering of characters here, free of inhibitions and all splayed to the camera’s unflinching gaze. Fantastic dirty riso printing too.

[francisgan]

<REPOST FROM PURGE> The series which propelled Martin Parr to legendary stardom. Some would dismiss it as tacky and opportunistic; others would find the photographs humorous and revolutionary for its time. I think it’s all of the above, and that makes this book a classic through and through.

[francisgan]

Though I’ve heard of Takehiko Nakafuji before, this is the first time that I really sat down and looked at his work. His photographs have that Moriyama vibe to them. But more than that (at least with this new book), there’s also a strong sense of graphic design and careful editing.

[francisgan]

Daido Moriyama’s third and most famous book! A highly influential body of work which solidified the visual revolution of the Provoke movement for generations. Finally purchased a first edition copy, though unsigned, is still a photobook treasure.

[francisgan]

A beautiful portfolio collection featuring 40 photographs printed on 26 folded sheets. Mostly monochrome with a few in color, the psychedelic erotica of Yasuhiro Yoshioka relates the female nude with various creatures in the animal world.

[francisgan]

The concluding volume to Sohrab Hura’s “Sweet Life” trilogy about his mother and her dog, Elsa. It’s a striking contrast to his previous books which are in black-and-white. This time the photographs are in color, brighter and have a more positive quality. The ending is emotionally touching though.

[francisgan]

A sound notation book created to accompany Sohrab Hura’s exhibition in Kolkata. Includes 8 images from the “Life is Elsewhere” series with 8 sound extraction charts. Very experimental stuff.

[francisgan]

To own the first edition of this rare booklet by Sergio Larrain is almost a dream. At the moment, this new facsimile version keeps the temptation at bay. Not to mention that the original is a whopping $4,600 in the collector’s market.

[francisgan]

A long term photo project made through frequent visits to Palawan, Phililppines, the work of Pierre de Vallombreuse about the ethnic group, Tau’Batu is now available in book form. It’s an oversized softcover with a beautifully printed green cover!

[francisgan]

Gábor Arion Kudász turns towards the lowly brick as metaphor to mankind’s place in the universe and the symbiosis between people and technology. Very conceptual stuff which garnered the prestigious Robert Capa Photography Grand Prize in 2015.

[francisgan]

Recently I was able to find a shop which carries a few of these much sought-after pins by Araki. Hopefully, it’s legit (too hard to tell). Also got a bootleg variant and an unofficial “ravens” pin by Fukase.

[francisgan]

A fun little book which collects Hiroshi Nomura’s 3-panel comic strips centered around photography and the camera. I got my copy signed and personalized with a cute drawing too.

[francisgan]

Perhaps the most sought-after volume of the famous photo annual due to the inclusion of a portfolio from Robert Frank’s The Americans. This book preceded the first Grove Press edition by a year and also included a full-page statement by the main man himself.

[francisgan]

First edition copy of a photobook classic featuring Eikoh Hosoe’s signature black-and-white erotic visuals. His radical use of color in the book’s design also makes it uniquely modern, especially in 1961!

[francisgan]

This limited edition box set contains 2 vinyl records, an audio CD, a signed lithograph print and a small gilded photobook. An extravagant collection centered around the cinema music of Thailand’s most renowned director.

[francisgan]

Sunset scenes taken in and around the old Sathorn Unique Tower - a famous (or rather infamous) structure which remains unfinished to this day. The building stands as a testament to Bangkok’s gung-ho attitude towards development during the 90s prior to the great financial crash of 1997.

[francisgan]

Wuthipol Ujathammarat is a prolific self-publisher who takes photographs to make books. His recent zine finds beauty in Bangkok’s vast urban jungle - a hodgepodge of brilliant colors, geometric shapes and varied patterns.