In the last few weeks on photo-eye Blog we have been highlighting books picked by our
Best Books of 2011 contributors.
My list (as well as
Darius Himes' list) both featured Gerry Johansson's new book
Pontiac (scheduled to be reviewed in photo-eye Magazine in the coming weeks).
Pontiac is a spectacular and intimate book, one that certainly deserves high praise for its production quality and simply stunning set of images. While putting together my list, I was completely unaware of Johansson's other new book
God Jul och got Nytt År önskar Gerry och Ann. Had I known about this book -- published by the Gun Gallery -- it would have easily made it on my list of 10 best books.
God Jul och got Nytt År önskar Gerry och Ann is a collection of images taken by Johansson and later made into Christmas cards from the years 1978 - 2011. The photographs -- taken in the photographer's hometown of Höganäs, Sweden -- are subtle, quite depictions of holiday decorations and lights on empty streets. Often cast in a heavy fog or taken at night, these images rarely (if at all) give the viewer any sense of holiday jubilation -- they simply depict the reality of the dreary Swedish weather and worn out decorations. It is as if Johannson's Christmas cards are a protest of the commercial and superficial circus Christmas has become.
That being said, the photographs are also striking in their beauty. While looking at these images, I often feel as if I am standing in Johannson's shoes, slowly meandering through lonely streets and contemplating the spirit of the season. In all of its crazy hype, for Johannson Christmas seems to be a very ordinary event. I am also amazed at how in all of their ordinariness, these images and this collection are quit telling. The photographer has made a holiday revolving around community and family appear lonely, desolate and many times reflective. -- Antone Dolezal
Purchase a copy of
God Jul och got Nytt År önskar Gerry och Ann
