Road Trip, Photographs 1980-1988

by Aaron Siskind, David Featherstone (Editor), Charles Traub (Introduction)

Presents a selection of the photographer's most recent work and includes photographs of abstract images taken in locations around the world.

Genres: Photography

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Iain · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not familiar enough with Siskind's work to comment in depth with any authority, or to give insight into what someone more familiar with him might think of this, so this is simply my reaction to this book. For me, this was something of an introduction to his work, and it left me with the feeling that the photos presented would have been more varied and of a higher creative standard had this been a book made in his prime, rather than a small periodical done in cooperation with him when he was 85.

The content of this book consists primarily of a five page introduction sharing anecdotes about assisting the elderly Siskind during the shooting of some of this material, and 41 plates of B&W abstracts shot primarily in urban locations around the world. The introduction is an easy read and somewhat amusing, but there are few insights in it, and the observations that I found intriguing and worth remembering were contained in two to three sentences. The plates contain six tar patterns on asphalt; about 28 wall patterns of graffiti, torn remains of flyers, crude repairs to cracks, and patterns within the wall material itself; four observations of folded or undulating cloth or mesh; and a few plates of similar material on painted stools and whatnot. I feel like there are many high end abstract photo books that would contain 2-3 images of the types found here, in addition to more engaging or aesthetic subject matter, but this is an entire small book of only such work, and for me it quickly grew monotonous.

Honestly, I tend to enjoy this sort of abstract work, but I found only one spread of two plates truly noteworthy and interesting. A couple of the tar patterns were... kind of neat. But I was really surprised how little I found that rewarded more than a quick glance in passing. The intro text describes how Siskind makes a "search for order" in his photos. This led me to expect to see evidence of applying a clear order and arrangement to chaotic elements, as other masters of abstraction so often do, but instead his abstract ordering reminded me more of extractions from the world placed into boxes: rather than creating abstraction, it seems (in these examples) he finds existing abstract patterns and places a neat frame around them. Most of the results I did not find stimulating, but perhaps his particular style of abstraction is simply not for me.

The book itself is nicely designed, with a yellow and black striped back cover calling to mind the central double yellow lines that become such a companion on any road trip. Quality of reproductions seems good, though I haven't seen enough of his work to judge how well it's captured here.

I wanted to give this three stars, because anything less feels rather mean to give to a respected master photographer who was creating this work in his elderly years, but in all honesty, judging how satisfying this book was without considerations beyond the book itself, I can't justify more than two stars. This disappointed me and left me unenthusiastic about exploring his work further. But it's just my reaction coming from my background, and others will validly disagree.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A selection of his photos from 1980 - 1988 with a preface written by David Featherstone and introduction by Charles Traub, a former student of Aaron Siskind's.

I am a lover his of work and these abstract pictures are of great depth, complexity and beauty. There is much to seen when looking at them, they have a life and power.