Book Review: “Anderswo/Elsewhere” by Petra Barth
The latest monograph from photographer Petra Barth is a process of letting curiosity take over her nightmares from when she was living in a small village in postwar Germany as a child. In this new reality, we get to experience an exercise in reclaiming our past through memory. As a result, the imagery found in Anderswo/Elsewhere often alternates between dark and foreboding to hopeful and bright. The constantly fleeting moments that increase the mysterious qualities of every photograph have been exquisitely sequenced throughout its three chapters – Memories, Stories, and Dreams – as a representation of stages of her life thus far. Barth's talents are more than sufficiently adept at telling her story through her black and white photographs, switching back and forth between small, quiet moments to the street scenes and portraits of both people and the landscape with a range of styles.
It's easy for me to see a direct correlation between the often blurred imagery and my own upbringing. I often see my past in much the same way. Honestly, I think that just about anyone would feel the same and perhaps be drawn to this intriguing work from Barth. We get it. We feel surrounded by these ideas and concepts and can easily pick out our own moments that satisfy our need for security and comfort.
Anderswo/Elsewhere by Petra Barth
Schilt Publishing, June 2021
Format: 23.5 x 24.2 cm. portrait
Hardback with Swiss binding
160 Pages with approx. 70 photos in duotone
Design: Henk van Assen, HvA Design, Brooklyn
ISBN 9789053309469
Available for purchase here!
Anderswo/Elsewhere is a classic example of creating a collection of work through the editing process. After years of reacting and responding to life and all the moments and journeys that make one worth living, the vision becomes much more distinct with hindsight. So make photographs the best way you know-how, with your singular eye, and let them do the talking through sequencing and articulating the road you've traveled.
Even the opening intro by Barth muse's on the questions and ponderings of the past. While the photographs are her's alone, this book is more of a collaborative endeavor that includes poems from Milagros Teran, photo editing by Sarah Leen, text editing from Lynn Medford, a wonderful text from curator and photo critic Bill Kouwenhoven, and design by Henk van Assen.
My grandmother's tablecloth, photographed in Castleton, Virginia, USA, 2020
”This tablecloth, photographed at my home in Virginia, was hand-stitched by my grandmother, made from white linen with red and blue embroidery, hemmed with white hand-made lace. Despite it having been repaired in many spots over the years, its beauty holds memories of our time together that become more vivid as I grow older.” - Petra Barth
The craftsmanship and materials used in this book, from the paper choice to the embossed lettering on the cover, are superb. After learning more about Barth and her love of sewing passed down from her grandmother, I found an especially interesting detail that had informed some of her earlier handmade books. We get to see this intention yet again in the Swiss binding used in this latest monograph that caps its design off perfectly – a subtle nod to family and the skills of youth.
If you are looking to get lost in travels and mysteries, are a fan of stunning black and white photography, and want it all wrapped up in a neatly designed package, you could not go wrong with Petra Barth's gorgeous Anderswo/Elsewhere, from the consistently outstanding Schilt Publishing.
GALLERY
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Petra Barth has focused her art on memory, relating to human, social and environmental issues in rural communities worldwide which is influenced by her own upbringing. She is often working with groups such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development and the Human Rights Center at Duke University. Her project on deported migrants, The Backpackers / Los Mochileros was shown at the 2017 Venice Biennale and My Original Face was shown there in 2019. Most recently she has gathered images from the project Anderswo / Elsewhere in a book dummy to present it to publishers.
Barth’s work has been exhibited in museums, galleries and policy forums from the Climate Change Summit in Paris and the C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico City to the Galeria de Arte Contemporaneo Paul Baldwell in Medellin Colombia, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Organization of the American States in Washington, D.C. Her work is included at the Human Rights Archive at the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book, Manuscript and Special Collections Library at Duke University. Her awards include the Project Launch Grant from the Center in Santa Fe, the Beth Block Award from Houston Center for Photography, more than 10 IPA and PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris awards.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Michael Kirchoff is a photographic artist, independent curator and juror, and advocate for the photographic arts. He has been a juror for Photolucida’s Critical Mass, and has reviewed portfolios for the Los Angeles Center of Photography’s Exposure Reviews, PhotoNOLA, and CENTER’s Review Santa Fe. Michael has been a contributing writer for Lenscratch, Light Leaked, and Don’t Take Pictures magazine. In addition, he spent ten years (2006-2016) on the Board of the American Photographic Artists in Los Angeles (APA/LA), producing artist lectures, as well as business and inspirational events for the community. Currently, he is also Editor-in-Chief at Analog Forever Magazine, Founding Editor for the online photographer interview website, Catalyst: Interviews, and a Contributing Editor for the column, Traverse, at One Twelve Publishing. Previously, Michael spent over four years as Editor at BLUR Magazine.