Paris Mortel

Johan van der Keuken
Paris Mortel

Photographs: Joan van der Keuken

Publisher: Hilversum

68 pages

Pictures: 65

Year: 1963

Comments: Hardcover under dust jacket, 295 x 230 mm. First edition, 1963. Gravure printing. Text in dutch, french, english and German. Included in The Photobook by Parr & Badger, vol. 1, p.248.Spine is lightly toned and a stains visible. Short closed tear to top edge of front panels, minor rubbing to spine and edges. Fine in a near-fine dust-jacket, scarce as such. The book itself is in very good condition.

Paris mortel (Mortal Paris) is the third book of Dutch photographer and filmmaker Joan van der Keuken. The selection of photographs were taken between October 1956 and August 1958. Van der Keuken's images of Paris are precisely placed within this strong, graphic layout, which often manipulates the empty spaces for effect, as much as the photographs themselves. This combination of classic images within a strict, almost mathematical, layout is like an homage to Bauhaus. It certainly puts me in mind of Moi Ver’s Paris book from 1931, or even earlier publications from 1920s Weimar Republic. The book is structured into six chapters with the following themes 1. Street views 2. Métro Saint-Michel 3. People 4. Night scenes 5. Children / Demonstrations 6. Pére-Lachaise cemetery. Joan van der Keuken's decision not to include text (apart from index and credits) gives free rein to the viewer’s imagination. The pages in french-fold (uncut) double the volume of the book. The dust jacket is made of coloured paper, making it almost impossible to repair once damaged. A very unique photography book and a great example of photography and graphic design in perfect harmony. Wonderfully printed in deep gravure.

Andreas Bitesnich, Achtung photography