Cover to Cover

by Michael Snow

A performative exercise and masterclass in “photo-bookmaking”, Cover to Cover follows artist Michael Snow through a series of disorienting, domestic self-portraits. Snow, who remains quietly composed throughout, is depicted in various ordinary scenarios made ethereal by artful gestures in composition and lighting. Bookended by two closed doors on front and back cover, Snow makes obvious his intent to focus not on beginning or end, but the transitional space between.

Genres: Photography, Film, Art, Visual Art

128 pages, Hardback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Tentatively, Convenience · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, quite simply, the most brilliantly conceived thru-structured photography bk in existence (to my, of course, limited 'knowledge'). Looking thru the bk "Cover to Cover" involves the perceiver in a relationship w/ it unlike any other. For people who like to think & be in awe of clever patterns, experiencing this bk is better than masturbating to porn (& healthier!).

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A facsimile reprint of an enjoyably disorienting book of photographs depicting Snow performing a series of mundane acts: opening a door, walking to his truck and pulling away, picking up and putting down a book from a coffee table. Each photograph has its twin in this narrative: one from behind and, from the same distance, one in front. (The photographers documenting Snow’s actions make no efforts to hide themselves.) But while flipping the pages, some of the photographs turn out to be photos of photos—and somebody’s hand holding the photos. At a couple of points the photos are turned upside down, and so must be the book to keep following the narrative. Thus, to go sequentially from cover to cover requires reading from left to right as well as right to left while turning the book. A highly recommended gem.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, fun, intelligent, different.
Un livre qui te demande d'être présent⋅e, de t'engager dans son histoire.
A book that challenges the passive idea of reading, and asks you to embody that process.
Very cool!

[Enrico Ribeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5