Developed in collaboration with Le Bal (Paris) and Ivorypress (Madrid), which presented the exhibition earlier in 2012, The Latin American Photobook takes viewers through the history of publishing in Latin America. Through a selection of works covering nearly a century of publication, this event organized by Horacio Fernandez features a cycle of conferences, a book co-published by Cosac Naify (Brazil), Editorial RM (Mexico), Aperture (USA) and Images en Manoeuvre (France), and a traveling exhibition addressing six major themes, from the urban landscape to propaganda. This approach helps visitors better understanding the cultural, aesthetic and editorial changes that have occurred in the region. In the 1920s and 30s, at a time when the United States and Europe were still studying lines and using classical layouts, Latin America was using photography as a political weapon. Their daring designs in the 1950s were made to convince people that the book was an objet d’art, not merely a visual aid. This selection also allows viewers to revisit the history of the continent through the eyes of people who made that history.
Presented in English and Spanish at the Aperture opening, the exhibition confirms the foundation’s commitment to reaching a wider audience, a reflection of the changes implemented by Chris Boot since his arrival at Aperture. The exhibition establishes the photography book as an indispensable documentary resource, going beyond the aesthetic and geographical limits that had defined it until now.
For a detailed presentation of the book and exhibition, see our first and second articles about it.
Laurence Cornet
The Latin American Photobook
November 29, 2012–January 24, 2013
Aperture Foundation
547 West 27th Street, 4th Floor
New York, N.Y 10001
Tél. +(1) 212 505 5555
The Latin American Photobook
Edited by Horacio Fernandez
Editions Aperture
256 pages
$75.00
