I'VE NEVER BEEN A FAN OF LUCAS SAMARAS...

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Originally uploaded by KEITHBOADWEE.

BUT THAT HAS ALL CHANGED. WHEN MATTHEW HIGG'S WAS VISITING, HE TURNED ME ON TO THIS BOOK PUBLISHED BY APERTURE TITLED "SAMARAS - PHOTOGRAPHS". IT'S A REVELATION. I NEVER HAD A CLUE ABOUT THE DEPTH OF HIS WORK, THE STYLISTIC VARIETY AND THE SHEER INNOVATION. TECHNICALLY, MANY OF THE WORKS ARE ASTONISHING, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THEY ARE PRE-PHOTOSHOP. I WAS ONLY AWARE OF HIS BOXES AND MANIPULATED POLAROIDS BUT THEY ARE THE LEAST OF WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. THE EARLY BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS ARE BASIC BUT HAVE THE ENERGY OF THE BEST OF LATE 60'S, EARLY 70'S CONCEPTUALISM. HIS USE OF COLOR IS OVER THE TOP AND GARISH BUT SOMEHOW HE PULLS IT OFF. THE CONTENT IS ALL OVER THE MAP BUT CONSISTENTLY INTERESTING AND HE REALLY MANAGES TO EXPLORE THE SELF PORTRAIT IN WAYS MUCH MORE INTERESTING THAN MOST OTHERS WHO'VE TRY TO TACKLE IT. IF YOU DESCRIBED THESE PHOTOS IN A LITERAL MANNER TO SOME ONE THEY WOULD SOUND JUST HORRIBLE, BUT IN FACT, THEY'RE SUPERB. THIS BOOK SEEMS TO BE EVERYWHERE FOR ABOUT 10 DOLLARS AND IF YOU CARE ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY AT ALL, "SAMARAS - PHOTOGRAPHY" WILL BE AN ENLIGHTENING AND WELCOME ADDITION TO YOUR WORLD. FIND IT HERE.