The Pleasures and Terrors of Domestic Comfort

by Peter Galassi (Editor )

"Kitchens and bedrooms, couples and children, the expectations and anxieties of American domestic life are laid before us in this lively book of pictures by contemporary American photographers. By turns hilarious and unsettling, this unconventional family album offers rich if conflicting information about the current state of the old relationship between the American Dream and the American Nightmare."--


The work of more than 50 photographers is represented including Tina Barney, Ellen Brooks, William Eggleston, Mary Frey, Lee Friedlander, Nan Goldin, Nic Nicosia, Nicholas Nixon, Lorie Novak, Cindy Sherman, Sage Sohier, Joel Sternfeld, Larry Sultan, Carrie Mae Weems, and Neil Winokur.

Genres: Photography, Art

127 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

Reviews

[Vikas Singh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was published on occasion of exhibition on the same subject but is not exactly exhibition catalog and is an independent book. The book explores the idea of home as a battle ground for social struggle. For many street photographers home was uncharted territory that afforded new challenges on a daily basis to record domestic life. Some photographs pay attention to post modernism period of photography and recognition of childhood drama that encapsulates the drama and complexity of adult life. The essay by Peter Galassi is brilliant. But few pictures in the book appeared to bring alive the intent of the book. The rest seemed listless and dead.

[Ray Dunsmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly interesting collection of domestic photography, though I have to admit - I was expecting a little more existential dread than I got.

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

Nice collection of sinister and not so sinister photos of domestic scenes.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

bought the book at the exhibition in 1992. catalogues diversity in photography during the 80's.