Book: Ralph Gibson - Deus Ex Machina

"deus ex machina"

Deus Ex Machina (Klotz)

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.

Encyclopedic Story

the century on lexicon encyclopedia

We have a shot of the Century Photobook with the Lexicon Encyclopedia as the backdrop. Then I remember the old days…

Picture blurry-ing flowers now… Dadanananananana, danananana, dananananana….

Don’t you miss the time when Encyclopedia set was heavy-cool? Remember how the set was prominently displayed in the sala? And in the town where I was born, it was a status symbol (you know, the place where the folks would quickly call you “Endyinir” if you passed the board exam, or “Atorni” if you’re taking up law).

The encyclopedia was highly valued back then that our Momma bought “special rack” from the palengke. I’m sure, back then, Encyclopedia totally deserved its special place that your Poppa made a customized palo-tsina wood cabinet. Awesome.

It was handy, or let me just say, helpful back then.

From what I remember, it answered almost all my research needs, assignments and curiosities (like how babies are conceived and how they got out, how world wars 1 and 2 started, the Islam world, etc.). Ours is 1988 Lexicon Encyclopedia bundled with a medical 4-volume set and science-for-kids set that has special projects.

Then mid-90s came about and the technology made Encyclopedia semi-dispensable. Even the semi-obsolete CD back then can contain a volume of know-how. DVDisks pushed the capacity even more therefore storing even more data, multi-media and interactive contents. And then, internet took over. No longer it is needed to go and scan the set for info. Simply type what you need and search engine will give you what you need.

I honestly don’t know if there are new prints and versions of these thick encyclopedia sets. But for those who have 20 year-old sets, might as well hold on and store it a little longer, those are bound to be vintage copies and a great starting point for conversations, or gigantic paper weights even. Or, do this.

LEOQUE COLLECTION, THE PHOTOBOOK

Finally, the photobook titled “Leoque Collection” has arrived. Digiprint said 2 to 3 weeks after client’s approval of the layout, we’ll get the photobook but we got it much much later than promised. We ordered this photobook for our own collection and copy, a coffee table book for our own living room.  The same 100 select photos were printed and filed in this album, for our clients browsing.

First Batch Photo print, House of Leoque Volume 1

We’re able to finally print some of the photos we got. Printed primarily for offline viewing and second, for filing/archiving. After getting the copies and inserting them onto the album, I must say, the cost (print + album) is worth it.

The good ol’ photo print is still the best way to look at the imagery. Better than wide screen laptop, better the LCDs, better than any other hi-tech photo viewer gizmo out there. There’s something about looking & holding the photo paper. About a hundred pictures all in all, see tiled thumbnail below.

We uploaded the photos in this album for better online view: Leoque Collection Album: Volume 1

The same set of photos, we re-sent to photo printing company, this time, we ordered a coffee table - photobook version of the set for our own home copy. The album version is at the store, please have look at it so that the P1000 print cost is worth it. :-)

Meantime, see the actual album below…