Habitual Glory

It’s strange how the use of color and scale can give such a specific power to an image. In Vittorio Mortarotti’s latest monograph, “The First Day of Good Weather”, we are presented with an abundance of photographs in many different sizes all slightly tinted blue. To me the subtlety of the tint transforms Mortarotti’s images from individual snapshots into a collection of photographs that create a language all their own.

Acting as a shrine to the death of his brother and father, “The First Day of Good Weather”, borrows its title from the order President Truman gave to drop the atomic bomb. All of the images were made in Japan and to me the blue hue that covers Mortarotti’s photographs gives the impression that the sun is being blocked out casting a shadow on the Earth below. Letters between Vittorio’s brother and his Japanese penpal are intermingled between Mortarotti’s photographs. The letters create the feeling of correspondence during wartime.

The images within The First Day of Good Weather don’t let the powerful concept of the book down either. By sequencing rural landscapes, tight street shots, and esoteric nothingness together Mortarotti has created what feels like an apocalyptic last day.

Crushed cars stacked in neat piles.

Lovers caught nuzzling one another in public.

Lizards bask in the sun while Mortarotti gets up close and personal with people and junk.

It feels so close and yet so foreign. Like each moment of existence within the confines of this book are battles in a war being fought about tomorrow. To me this book is a masterpiece. It is obvious Mortarotti is in Japan but it feels like he could be anywhere. Somehow he has found a way to make tragedy feel endlessly relatable. The First Day of Good Weather is the perfect example of what makes the book as an art object special. It reminds us what it means to use the camera as a tool to answer deeper questions. Perhaps revealing the lives of people who could have been and fragments of existence that never were. Altering the way we feel about the color blue permanently.

Luckily we have Italian publisher Skinnerbooxto thank for this luscious contribution to the book world. Lets hope more books can live up to the potential of this perfect bound bliss.

Here at Holy Page Records we are excited to announce the release of “Lucky” a book of illustrations by Noah Einar Wingren. A glimpse into the void, the turn of the millennium, drawings you can hear: there is reality and then there is Noah’s world. A notebook tattered, scribbled, and erased. In Lucky we witness Wingren’s patient doodle, picture perfect appropriation, and unmatchable style. I’m extremely excited to welcome Noah to the Holy Page Records family and hope that you all can find as much excitement in Wingren’s work as I do.

Lucky

by Noah Einar Wingren

Holy Page Records, 2016, English, 32pgs, 38 black and white illustrations

1st Edition, 50 copies

Each book is hand numbered and signed

Each book comes with an enamel lapel pin by the artist.

We decided to go and get some lapel pins made to celebrate our return to the Universe! They are available along with our first book “Say My Last Name Softly”, at the link below.

Bye!

Hello friends and allies,

We finally have a reason to celebrate, we are back with you all after a multi year hiatus! Holy Page is extremely excited to present to you our first photobook publication “Say My Last Name Softly” a collaboration between Christian Michael Filardo and Marie Claire Bryant. Filardo’s up front flash images meld with Bryant’s dynamic words to create an entirely new and fresh narrative! The book is 64 full color pages and limited to 100 copies. A few examples can be seen above in this post!

The book is officially available for pre-order at our new store which you can find at the link provided below.It will be officially releases April 9, 2016. The release will be accompanied by a party at Radical Abacus on the evening of the 9th.

http://holypagerecords.bigcartel.com/

Once again I hope this finds you well and that you are as excited as I am!