The book “Up And Down Peachtre”, published by Contrasto in an international edition, is the result of Martin Parr’s vision of the city of Atlanta. This book came out at the time of the exhibition presented a few months ago at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. The Museum commissioned Martin Parr to document the city as part of its Picturing the South project. The book presents the complete work of Parr on Atlanta, it is a meticulously designed object, printed without text beyond the book’s title and colophon.
Atlanta is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. It’s a symbolic capital of the American South made famous by the film Gone With the Wind and by the world headquarters of The Coca-Cola Company. Atlanta is a cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, also known as a center of black wealth, political power and culture, and home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Once in Atlanta, the british photographer turned his eye first on Peachtree Street, the main road around which the city was born and grew and where Martin Parr, always with a touch of irony, makes a portrait of the daily life in Atlanta. He visits institutions and major events in the city such as the Atlanta Pride Festival, the CNN Center, the annual Dogwood Festival, Atlanta’s zoo, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With people, food, details, colors, forms he make us laugh and despair at the same time. His signature is unique and unmistakable. Once again his journey is guided by humor and instinct. Martin Parr’s energy and vision burn through Atlanta like a modern day William Hogarth.
