Recognize

by Glen E. Friedman (photographer)

Renowned photographer Glen E. Friedman's breathtaking and ambitious exploration of clouds. "Recognize your humility, recognize the power of nature, recognize the beauty of the world. It is rare to find a photography book like this, one that genuinely and with total directness conveys the spiritual qualities of the material world."
— LA Weekly This incredible book was the first of all of Glen E. Friedman's works to not use anything from his past archives of infamous iconic images. Recognize is based solely upon his artistic studies and ambition. A hand sewn, extra wide book of photographs of clouds from inside the clouds themselves, Recognize has far reaching implications on the world of modern art. From the afterword by Ian F. "Just as Renaissance artists reintroduced the classical world's honesty and discipline to art making, Friedman restores picture taking to its primary and vital composition of the natural world, combined with a sense of wonder at the magnificence of what is all around us." From the preface by Peter Lamborn "These photos are more pleasurable than one might expect because they are secretly more painful. They hide an aesthetic shock behind what first appears to be more picturesque nebulosity. They sneak up on you, gradually becoming more and more sexual, more uncomfortable. It's customary nowadays to claim we 'distrust beauty' because it has betrayed us. In fact, the reverse is our culture betrays beauty and then blames it for its lack of depth. On this edge Glen's work is dancing—hence its vertiginousness, its touch of vertigo. Real beauty is always serious."

56 pages, Hardcover

Published April 20, 2021

About the author

Glen E. Friedman, (Born 1962) considered one of the most important photographers of his generation, became well known for working with such rebellious artists as Fugazi, Black Flag, Ice-T, Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat, Misfits, Bad Brains, Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C, KRS-1, and Public Enemy, as well as old school skateboarders like: Tony Alva, Jay Adams, Alan "Ollie" Gelfand, Duane Peters, and Stacy Peralta, among others. Many of his photographs are recognized as the subjects' definitive portraits. His graphic documents of the movement in culture reveal the science of defiance upon which all are based. Friedman's photos reflect the spirit of progression and angst that defined an era. Not only was he in the right places at an extraordinary number of appropriate times, Friedman has helped define the moment and movements he was caught up in. His process was much more incendiary than it was documentary. According to Henry Rollins "The bottom line is that he was there at the beginning of so much cool stuff in so many different areas it's not funny."

"Inspiring people, with integrity and rebelliousness."

For the past quarter century, Friedman has been doing just that.

- Los Angeles Times

"One of the greats of his generation."

- Washington Post

"The most prolific photographer of his generation."

- American Institute of Graphic Arts

"The esoteric political and aesthetic conscience of his generation..."

- Juxtapoz magazine

Glen E. Friedman's captivating images demonstrate his remarkable eye for raw reality, talent and aesthetic beauty. He is, without doubt, one of this generation's most discerning and important photographers, Friedman has documented like no one else.