"deus ex machina"
A photo compilation of-and-by Ralph Gibson. Mainly of simple humble objects (like spoon, chair, a box) that show lotza emotions. Many of the images are in BnW and are spontaneous shots as he drifts from place to place like in San Fransisco, Los Angeles, New York, Egypt, France, Italy, etc.
It won’t give justice but I’ll post some page captures below just to show some of the ordinary home stuff as subjects…
*Copyright: Ralph Gibson
Deus Ex Machina contains a lot of his early works. There are photos well into the 90’s too so this is long body of work with select images squeezed in. With recurring themes like the nudes and street shots. In fact, a whole section, the “black kiss” chapter is a compilation of erotic photographs. This chapter is bold and it’s a rare visual feast. It’s not everyday that you’ll see “sex” photos with such deeper erotic emotions. As Ralph Gibson puts it, “true explicit erotica of higher aesthetic order”.
Per chapter (and in other cases, per image), the artist inserts witty narratives that kinda give the reader/viewer more stories and feelings. The whole book is an inspiration and is a silent photography lecture on composition, texture, nude photography, contrast, the use of shadow, etc. Truly, an inspiring collection of photos. If you have a camera, it will make you shoot more.
The beef… just never mind that, it could be guru Ralph Gibson isn’t that enamored with Digital Camera Photography… the format of the book (6 by 8) is small for a photo book….that you have to open-up and almost rip up the book for the 2 page (widespread? centerfold?) images. :-)
- In ancient Greek theater, God appeared floating across stage by way of complex system of roped and pulleys, this became known as “god by way of machines” – Deus Ex Machina.
- If you want this book, buy the book here – Deus Ex Machina (Klotz)
The book photographed on top of a water color I made a loooooooooooong time ago.
