Coincidentally, one day in February 2015 saw the release of two publications whose appearance have much in common: two imposing A4 tomes (nearly 300 pages) whose tobacco-colored covers frame a black-and-white photograph. And on both volumes, what we assume is the title is written beneath the photograph.
But the two publications had nothing in common, since the first (whose name I’ve forgotten) lacked consistency, perspective and aesthetic ambition, reminding one of all the pretentious new magazines that come out all the time. The other volume, however, was magnificent second installment of Mémoire Universelle. Launched in 2012—the first volume was devoted to love—this “subjective encyclopedia” directed by fashion editor Benoit Béthume, Béatrice Gross and Anne Desquins, who bring together in each issue a variety of contributors—in the latest issue, Vivianne Sassen, Ulrich Seidl, Charlotte Rampling and Estelle Hanania—on a given theme. This issue: “Manimalism,” the relationship between men and animals.
The subject is fascinating. It has been proven that we humans in 2015 have maintained the ability to detect an animal presence by our visual, olfactory and auditory sense, more quickly and accurately than any other element in contemporary life. In this, Mémoire Universelle approaches a fundamental subject and does so brilliantly. The quality of the contributions, a mixture of scientific rigor and subtle aesthetic appreciation, the judicious images (including a young man who believes himself to be a mermaid and builds himsef a beautiful mermaid tail), make this into one of Zineland’s favorite discoveries.
We’re hesitant to say too much, but we encourage the reader in search of inspiration and those all-too-rare thrills of joy to pick up Mémoire Universelle as soon as possible.
Informations :
www.memoire-universelle.com
www.huntingandcollecting.com
45 €
