Deutsch
English
"Harvey BENGE’s new book, 'The Lament' continues his investigation into the nature of things through a celebration of the democracy of images. Questions are asked though few answers given. These are places we have all been, if only in the mind.
As with all BENGE's projects, the work is partly fiction and partly autobiographical. The pictures mine the unusual and the perverse. They make strange connections and exploit the unexpected. Nothing is as it seems, though we nevertheless sense that there is a truth in everything. Mystery prevails and it is up to us to bring our own life experience to the reading of the work.
The 'Lament' deals with loss, change and the inevitability of impermanence.
All thoughts, emotions and circumstances that each and every one us have experienced and have dealt with in our lives. There is sexual misadventure too
Yet despite the apparent angst, BENGE isn’t about to slit his wrists anytime soon: a wry sense of humour runs through the work and if you look hard enough you might even spot a sense of optimism." (publisher's note)
About the photographer, Harvey BENGE (died in Oct. 2019):
New Zealander Harvey BENGE lived and worked in Auckland and Paris, although his photographs are made in all corners of the globe and the locations remain indeterminate. Unfortunately he died in October 2019.
Well known for his many photo books, he has twice been a finalist in the prestigious Prix du Livre at Arles Photography Festival, France.
He has also exhibited his work extensively in both public and private galleries in Britain, throughout Europe, and in New Zealand.
BENGE was also involved in curatorial projects and at Auckland’s AUT University, he ran a series of ongoing photography workshops with international photographers.
As with all BENGE's projects, the work is partly fiction and partly autobiographical. The pictures mine the unusual and the perverse. They make strange connections and exploit the unexpected. Nothing is as it seems, though we nevertheless sense that there is a truth in everything. Mystery prevails and it is up to us to bring our own life experience to the reading of the work.
The 'Lament' deals with loss, change and the inevitability of impermanence.
All thoughts, emotions and circumstances that each and every one us have experienced and have dealt with in our lives. There is sexual misadventure too
Yet despite the apparent angst, BENGE isn’t about to slit his wrists anytime soon: a wry sense of humour runs through the work and if you look hard enough you might even spot a sense of optimism." (publisher's note)
About the photographer, Harvey BENGE (died in Oct. 2019):
New Zealander Harvey BENGE lived and worked in Auckland and Paris, although his photographs are made in all corners of the globe and the locations remain indeterminate. Unfortunately he died in October 2019.
Well known for his many photo books, he has twice been a finalist in the prestigious Prix du Livre at Arles Photography Festival, France.
He has also exhibited his work extensively in both public and private galleries in Britain, throughout Europe, and in New Zealand.
BENGE was also involved in curatorial projects and at Auckland’s AUT University, he ran a series of ongoing photography workshops with international photographers.
- Format
- HC (no dust jacket, as issued), 21,5 x 30 x 1,5 cm., 96 pp., color ills., text language: English