GUY BOURDIN

by Alison M. Gingeras

One of the greatest innovators of fashion photography, Guy Bourdin's (1928-1991) work was highly glamourous, seductive, and often surreal. Guy Bourdin, by Guggenheim curator Alison M. Gingeras, provides an illustrated overview of Bourdin's entire career featuring both iconic images, lesser-known photos and an introductory essay that provides a fresh perspective on his life and work, including his considerable influence on the world of commercial and fine art photography that still resonates today. Bourdin worked for French Vogue for over 30 years, while during the 1970's and 1980's his photographs also filled the pages of international fashion magazines in campaigns for Charles Jourdan, Bloomingdales, Versace, Chanel, and Dior. Bourdin's revolutionary approach to advertising campaigns rejected typical product shots in favor of atmospheric, often surreal tableaux with suggestions of narrative.

Gingeras' accessible introduction looks back on Bourdin's career and places him both in the context of his time and within the history of photography. The book includes several photographs that have never before been published, in particular early works that were discovered in Bourdin's personal archive. The book discusses the formative years of Bourdin's oeuvre as well as celebrates his most iconic images. Guy Bourdin's fashion shoots were mysterious, hypnotic, and surreal, exposing the true and unnerving nature of desire. He showed that, within the context of fashion, it is rarely the product that compels us, but instead the image that stimulates consumer desire.

Genres: Photography, Art, Art and Photography

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Digi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a small hard copy version of this book, which is a good summary of his career.

His photos start in b&w, but then quickly move to bold colour. Some of his shots for shoe companies are amazing, particularly one of a lady running under a bridge carrying a massive shoe! I cant imagine what the pitch meeting was like.

I dont quite get why there are so many shots of apparently dead models, but one could at least say its unique.

[Aaron the Pink Donut · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two editions of this book that content wise the same. Big difference is size. One is a small chap book size the other is a slightly larger about 8 1/2 square. Both are great. really nice reproductions and a good introduction to his work.

[David Morillo Barrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siento que es un gran libro de fotografía, que expone la gran obra de Guy pero que una biografía sería más increíble pero tenemos una desventaja crucial: Guy quería ser borrado de la historia y lo que podemos saber de él, es de testimonios de otros, pero ya esa gente murió. Así que nos queda su maravillosa obra y las palabras breves pero necesarias escritas por Alison Gingeras, que logra ponerle el foco de atención a la estrella que fue Guy Bourdin.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buena introducción al trabajo de Guy Bourdin.

Fotos explicadas cronológicamente.

Muy buena calidad del papel.

[Aaron the Pink Donut · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two editions of this book that content wise the same. Big difference is size. One is a small chap book size the other is a slightly larger about 8 1/2 square. Both are great. really nice reproduction and a good introduction to his work.