Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf delivers a velvet-gloved emotional impact with his highly stylized mode of image making. His work offers a blend of mid-century modern and noir aesthetics seen through a contemporary, fashion-inflected lens. The ambience of the series presented in this volume-the first time these three bodies of work have been presented as a whole-is truly enigmatic and enticing. Olaf seduces the viewer via a mannered, restrained palette that is replete with faded avocado greens, golden-hued oranges, and subtle ...
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Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf delivers a velvet-gloved emotional impact with his highly stylized mode of image making. His work offers a blend of mid-century modern and noir aesthetics seen through a contemporary, fashion-inflected lens. The ambience of the series presented in this volume-the first time these three bodies of work have been presented as a whole-is truly enigmatic and enticing. Olaf seduces the viewer via a mannered, restrained palette that is replete with faded avocado greens, golden-hued oranges, and subtle lilacs. Each richly colored and sleekly composed image offers a sly reinterpretation of Norman Rockwell-like iconography and characters, manifesting a nostalgia that both burlesques and wryly celebrates America of the 1950s and '60s. As a whole, the material investigates what critic Jonathan Turner defines as "Olaf's recent fascination with the visual representation of such emotions of loss, loneliness, and quiet despair. . . . [He] plays games with the idea of cold reality versus cruel artifice, capturing that precise moment when innocence, hope, and joy are lost."
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Seller's Description:
Very Good with no dust jacket. 1597110612. With coloured (double-page) front cover, frontispiece & plates after Erwin Olaf. DVD on back pastedown with films. Light creasing to image on front cover. Slight wear & slight soiling to spine, covers & corners.; The 2008 publication Erwin Olaf offers a profound glimpse into the world of a photographer who masterfully balances aesthetic beauty with deep emotional and societal commentary. This book encapsulates Olaf's ability to craft images that are at once striking and deeply introspective. Through his lens, Olaf explores themes of isolation, identity, and the human condition, employing a unique blend of classical and contemporary influences that make his work resonate on multiple levels. The inclusion of a DVD provides an intimate look at Olaf's creative process, enriching the reader's understanding of his meticulous approach to photography. This collection is not merely a showcase of Olaf's technical prowess but a window into the soul of his subjects, making it a compelling addition to any photography enthusiast's library. Erwin Olaf, a visionary in the realm of photography, left an indelible mark on the art world before his passing in 2023. Born in the Netherlands, Olaf's career spanned several decades during which he became renowned for his striking and emotionally charged photographs. His work, characterized by an impeccable blend of beauty and provocation, delves into themes of social exclusion, queer identity, and the complexities of the human spirit. Olaf's distinctive style—marked by its cinematic quality and meticulous attention to detail—earned him international acclaim, including numerous prestigious awards. Beyond his artistic contributions, Olaf was an ardent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using his platform to champion the causes of equality and inclusivity. His legacy endures through his photographs, which continue to inspire and challenge viewers worldwide.; 33.5 x 25.5 x 1.8 cms; 112 pages.
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Seller's Description:
Used-Very Good. 'Vermeer Noir' might be an apt description of Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf's disquieting image repertoire. His subjects are posed indoors, immobile, somewhat in reverie and bathed in nearby window light--but not tranquilly so. An atmosphere of sinister but clinical indifference attends both them and their environments, rendering them into beautiful but dislocated mannequins in catalogue-furnished interiors. All sense of belonging to a place is eliminated. Each richly colored and sleekly composed image offers a sly reinterpretation of Norman Rockwell-like iconography and characters, manifesting a nostalgia that both burlesques and celebrates America of the 1950s and 60s. Dramatic emotions are hinted at but left ambiguous; certainly nothing in the models' surroundings suggests a cause. Here, across three themes of Hope, Grief and Rain, Olaf blends mid-century Modern and Noir in the lens of contemporary fashion. Avocado greens, golden-hued oranges and subtle lilacs brighten and deaden simultaneously, sending an irresolvable tension through his scenarios like an electric current. This tension, strung between the polar effects of zing and muteness, is the line Olaf treads in his pictures. As a whole, the work defines what critic Jonathan Turner usefully describes as 'Olaf's recent fascination with the visual representation of such emotions as loss, loneliness and quiet despair...[He] plays games with the idea of cold reality versus cruel artifice, capturing that precise moment when innocence, hope and joy are lost. ' The book comes with a DVD. Front & back cover lightly faded oth4rwise a nice clean tight copy.
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Seller's Description:
Near Fine. No Jacket as Issued. Book Complete number line from 1 to 10; minor wear; otherwise a solid, clean copy with no marking or underlining; collectible condition; illustrated with color photographs by Erwin Olaf; contains a DVD entitled Erwin Olaf, Selected Films.
