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Madagascar
Refer to Taaschen.
- GenresPhotographyAfricaArt
124 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1995
About the author
Gian Paolo Barbieri
22 books1 followerGian Paolo Barbieri or Giampaolo Barbieri was an Italian fashion photographer.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 20, 2018
How to Exploit People for Your Own Ends: A Primer
Having travelled in Madagascar, I was very interested to see Barbieri's book, MADAGASCAR, advertised by a bargain books dealer. I've always been fascinated by that faraway red island of Afro-Indonesian culture, lemurs, and chameleons. Since I'd read a number of good books about the place, none of which had extraordinary pictures, I thought this book would be an excellent addition to my small collection. I thought wrong.
While I have to admit that Mr. Barbieri is an excellent photographer, with long experience in the world of fashion, I took strong objection to his way of portraying Madagascar. Some magnificent photographs of the world of nature, some portraits, and a few pictures of unusual objects are interspersed with what can only be described as homo-erotic photographs. I have nothing against that either, a Mapplethorpe is a necessary part of modern culture. What I DO object to is such photographs being in any way called "a picture of Madagascar" with absolutely no personal agenda mentioned. This is totally dishonest. Thus, this is a very dishonest book. Producing self-indulgent romantic fantasies is fine if the audience is aware of what is being done, but to pass off such stuff as being "about" a poor country inhabited by hospitable, cheerful people with intricate customs and traditions, people who are extremely modest in dress and behavior for the most part---this is an exercise in exploitation. At the very least we should have been told how these pictures were made. In colonial times, many writers and artists produced romantic works about far off colonies. These were then used to show how "happy and contented" the people were under colonial rule. In the introduction, reference is made to Paradise ! Give me a break ! What is the agenda here ? If someone says, "Come on, man, it's just a great collection of pictures." then they have failed to grasp the cultural dialogues of the last 40 years, they cannot see how people with technology and media access can so easily exploit those without. I absolutely don't recommend this book.
Having travelled in Madagascar, I was very interested to see Barbieri's book, MADAGASCAR, advertised by a bargain books dealer. I've always been fascinated by that faraway red island of Afro-Indonesian culture, lemurs, and chameleons. Since I'd read a number of good books about the place, none of which had extraordinary pictures, I thought this book would be an excellent addition to my small collection. I thought wrong.
While I have to admit that Mr. Barbieri is an excellent photographer, with long experience in the world of fashion, I took strong objection to his way of portraying Madagascar. Some magnificent photographs of the world of nature, some portraits, and a few pictures of unusual objects are interspersed with what can only be described as homo-erotic photographs. I have nothing against that either, a Mapplethorpe is a necessary part of modern culture. What I DO object to is such photographs being in any way called "a picture of Madagascar" with absolutely no personal agenda mentioned. This is totally dishonest. Thus, this is a very dishonest book. Producing self-indulgent romantic fantasies is fine if the audience is aware of what is being done, but to pass off such stuff as being "about" a poor country inhabited by hospitable, cheerful people with intricate customs and traditions, people who are extremely modest in dress and behavior for the most part---this is an exercise in exploitation. At the very least we should have been told how these pictures were made. In colonial times, many writers and artists produced romantic works about far off colonies. These were then used to show how "happy and contented" the people were under colonial rule. In the introduction, reference is made to Paradise ! Give me a break ! What is the agenda here ? If someone says, "Come on, man, it's just a great collection of pictures." then they have failed to grasp the cultural dialogues of the last 40 years, they cannot see how people with technology and media access can so easily exploit those without. I absolutely don't recommend this book.
June 22, 2026
For the student of humanity, this is an inspired visual feast. These images are now over 30 years old and I can’t help but wonder how this place and its inhabitants may have changed.
It’s easy to look at the cultural cues shared as simple or primitive, but that is a prideful and dangerous point of view. As with any place people have developed largely uninterrupted (or only lately), there will be things that seem odd or offensive. To view with curiosity and without judgement, looking for humanity, you can’t help but be inspired—challenged. This place and its people appear incredibly beautiful, despite, or perhaps especially, stripped of the distraction of color.
Like any good book, I am left wanting, needing, more, but grateful for the limited gift found in these pages.
It’s easy to look at the cultural cues shared as simple or primitive, but that is a prideful and dangerous point of view. As with any place people have developed largely uninterrupted (or only lately), there will be things that seem odd or offensive. To view with curiosity and without judgement, looking for humanity, you can’t help but be inspired—challenged. This place and its people appear incredibly beautiful, despite, or perhaps especially, stripped of the distraction of color.
Like any good book, I am left wanting, needing, more, but grateful for the limited gift found in these pages.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews