Reflections
by Guido Argentini. Published by teNeues Verlag GmbH + Co KG. ISBN-10:
3832792139
Guido
Argentini was born in Italy in 1966. Initially he intended to work in
medicine and actually spent three years attending medical school before
deciding to change direction. At this point medicine's loss became the
art world's gain when he decided, at the age of 23, to
pursue a career as a photographer. He now moves between Italy and U.S.A.
producing images for publications such as Vogue, Playboy, Black+White,
Marie Claire, Men's Health and Max.
'Reflections' opens with a one page introduction by Argentini where he attempts
to explain the reasoning behind the collection and its title. As is the
norm for such introductions, this essay falls apart under the weight of
its own pretension. Whilst it can be argued that all photographs are constructs the images offered to us within this monograph are particular constructions and not reportage - as such they do not afford a window into
a woman's world as claimed but instead they offer up a chance to see that
world interpreted, directed and idealised by Guido Argentini. Given that
there is an element of self-portraiture in all art - it could therefore
be argued that the reflection we actually see in this volume
is that of the artist - there is indeed a subconscious acceptance by Argentini
of that possibility within the book.
If
you already own his previous publications - Private Rooms
and SilverEye - and have enjoyed them, you will know what
to expect and will not be disappointed. The images that Argentini
has created for 'Reflections' follow on from what
has gone before and are all sophisticated, creative and beautifully
composed studies by a photographer for whom many believe is at the
height of his game whereas others may be left feeling empty, cold,
even bored.
The
100 colour and duotoned images within this large format, coffee table,
224 page volume are all printed to a very high standard, though some
are displayed across two pages, on heavy weight art paper.
'Reflections'
is also available, in a strictly limited edition - signed and numbered
by Argentini - complete with two stunning prints. This version also
uniquely offered in a choice of two presentation boxes specially created
for this monograph - one a unique glass case with the other being
presented in an aluminium case with mirrored lining.
Review by
Christopher John Ball
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