Book Review: "Reserved Mr. Memory" by Patrick Murphy
Scenes that are a reflection of the culture of the American South, partly and specifically, Chickasaw County, Mississippi, are lovingly and accurately displayed in this wonderfully conceived monograph, Reserved Mr. Memory, from photographer Patrick Murphy. Besides Mississippi, other locations pictured include Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Missouri, Florida, and West Virginia. Though not a photographer by trade, it is with great love for the medium that Murphy has spent a lifetime keeping a camera close at hand as his creative outlet of choice. Being an art form that provided him a vehicle to wander and explore, he has spent the better part of fifty years documenting his years from youth on through adulthood in a place he felt a great connection to, even after it had stopped being his home. The images span decades, thoroughly steeped in history and nostalgia. Turning these pages is an alluring ride that captivates, amuses, and most importantly, invites you to learn more.
Church Sign. Middle Tennessee, c. 1994
JD and Girlfriend. Chickasaw County, Mississippi, July 5, 1982
Save for the occasional fashion sense or automobile design, there is often little to determine the year when many of these were made. This only makes the series of images connect with the viewer that much more. There is a simplicity and timelessness to them that centers them deep into your mind and pulls out similar memories from one's own past. Imagery that sparks recollections of days past is a valuable resource for everyone. Though these are not your memories, they are a pathway to reach in a little deeper. What's more, is that no amount of time will change this. One can easily pick this book up and peruse its contents to replicate these mental sparks – 10 years, 20 years, 30 years down the line from now. There is significant relevance to the lasting qualities of this body of work and one that I know I will cherish till day's end.
No Spitting on Flowers. Western North Carolina, 1982
I will let you know, however, that the final few pages contain full image titles and include the dates of every image, though I will contend that this is irrelevant to me, curious I still am at the facts presented in many of the ensuing descriptions for many of them. Murphy has done his due diligence and provided additional context for many readers. Actually, all of the text finishes off this book, with some thoughts on photographing in Mississippi from author William Ferris, a former professor of Murphy's, from Yale. Murphy's own text is a well-written description of his personal history with photography, how the project came about, and what it was like to make these photographs, starting as a teenager.
An interesting note provided by Murphy is the similarity he has found between these views of Mississippi and his current home in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he has resided for many years. I'm not going to go into detail about that, as I'll let you all read about it when you get your hands on this book, but it's worth learning about and considering as you go through your own life travels. Incidentally, the printer is located in Vilnius, and one I was previously unfamiliar with; however, it is quite clear that they were the right choice to be made.
Kitchen Table. Chickasaw County, Miss., 1980s
The design of this book is one of similar simplicity to the images contained within. Everything from the printing to the paper choice to the binding is all so very well done. The dust jacket is even a sly design choice and something to care for with this book as you keep it front and center in your collection. If vintage documentary photography is even of slight interest to you, or if you want a chance to immerse yourself into the American South, then you would do well to pick up Reserved Mr. Memory from a seriously accomplished documentarian of such.
Patrick Murphy’s observation about the book:
“In my videotaped interview with the Lithuanian photography project ‘Portfolio Perziuros’ [Portfolio Review], I mentioned that there is a paradox about time involved in photography: The photos in my book were made over a period of literally 50 years, from when I was a kid with my first SLR, until rather recently (a couple of the photos, which are digital), but, if you consider that the average exposure of a photo is 1/60 sec. or shorter, then the 62 photos in my book represent only 1 second of my life. ‘Which is it, 50 years or 1 second? It’s both.’”
Parking Lot Sign, Montgomery, Ala., 1977
Reserved Mr. Memory by Patrick Murphy
144 pages, 26.5 cm x 27.5 cm x 2 cm, weight 1.1 kg.
Published in Vilnius, Lithuania in 2019.
Hardbound with cloth cover and paper dust cover.
One black and white and 61 color photos and author’s text. Afterword by William Ferris.
Paper: FocusArt Natural, 150 g/m2; and Scandia 2000 Natural, 150g/m2
ISBN 978-609-475-300-8
Designed by Jurgis Griškevicius
Prepress work: Arvydas Maknys
Printed by UAB Balto print, Lithuania
Available for purchase via the photo-eye Bookstore or The Phooks!
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.