Swiss Photobooks from 1927 to the Present
The Swiss Foundation for Photography (Fotostiftung Schweiz) is marking its fortieth anniversary by presenting a fresh view of Swiss photography – a tour d’horizon covering a range of illuminating photobooks in which not only the great themes of photography are reflected but also the development of photographic styles and modes of expression.
Swiss Photobooks from the 20th century
Since the late 1920s – when it became possible to print photographs in high quality – the book has repeatedly proved itself to be an ideal platform for the presentation of photographic works. Books have not only contributed to the dissemination and transmission of photography but also facilitated the integration of the individual image into a meaningful context or sequence.
Eduard Spelterini, Über den Wolken, Brunner & Co. A.G., Zurich 1928
Barbara Davatz, As Time Goes By, Edition Patrick Frey, Zurich 1999
Andri Pol, Grüezi, Kontrast Verlag, Zurich 2006
The exhibition by the Swiss Foundation for Photography is based on an extensive research project in which hundreds, in part long-forgotten photobooks were brought together and critically examined. The selection of works resulting from this process forms the backbone of this new history of Swiss photography, which is also being published as a book. The publication presents the individual works with extensive picture spreads and texts by 23 authors – a chronological reference work that also traces the process that has seen the photograph change from a document into a means of subjective and artistic expression.
Jakob Tuggener, Fabrik, Rotapfel Verlag, Erlenbach-Zurich 1943
Giorgio von Arb, Leute am Grabserberg, Buchs Druck, Buchs 1988
Andreas Seibert, From Somewhere to Nowhere, Lars Müller Publishers, Baden 2008
With the help of seven thematic areas – homeland, portraiture, mountain photography, the world of work, aerial photography, contemporary history, travel – this exhibition aims at a kind of typology of the Swiss photobook which draws attention to the potential interplay between book and photograph, while also revealing the extent to which modes of expression have altered over the course of time. Concise excerpts from these books exhibited on the walls highlight the basic principle of each photobook – a photograph positioned on a double page still remains an integral part of a larger sequence. The concept, design and reception of photobooks are examined more closely in display cases. A large wall installation is devoted to photobook covers. The photobook is also presented as an object in film form: “reading” illustrated photography books is not just an intellectual but also a sensual act.
Andreas Seibert, From Somewhere to Nowhere, Lars Müller Publishers, Baden 2008
There are another 20,000 publications in the library of the Zentrum für Fotografie. This only special public library in Switzerland dedicated to photography stocks both numerous works by photographers and extensive literature on the history and theory of photography. Online catalogue: www.fotobibliothek.ch
1941: Bestseller von Gotthard Schuh
Inseln der Götter. Java, Sumatra, Bali. / Gotthard SCHUH. – Zürich: Morgarten-Verlag 1941. – 4°. 215 S. mit Tdr.-Abb. Ln. SU.
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Weitere Ausgaben
Eilanden der Goden. Java, Sumatra, Bali. / Gotthard SCHUH. Nederlandsche bewerking van Fred Rombach. – Amsterdam: Elsevier 1943. – 4°. 215 S. mit Tdr.-Abb. Pbd. SU.
Holländische Erstausgabe aus dem Jahre 1943.
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Inseln der Götter. Java, Sumatra, Bali. / Gotthard SCHUH. – Zürich: Büchergilde Gutenberg 1954. – 4°. 153 S. mit Tdr.-Abb. Krt. SU mit Pergamin.. – (Büchergilde Gutenberg Zürich ; 1954)
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Iles des dieux. Java, Sumatra, Bali. / Gotthard SCHUH. – No. 3898/10300. – Lausanne: La Guilde du Livre 1954. – 4°. 153, [1] S. mit Tdr.-Abb. Krt. SU mit Pergamin eingefasst. – (La Guilde du Livre ; 1954)
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Gudarnas öar. Java, Sumatra, Bali. / Gotthard SCHUH. Översätting av Rada Nikolaev och Per Erik Wahlund. – [Schwedische Erstausgabe.] – Uppsala: J. A. Lindblads 1956. – 4°. 153 S. mit Tiefdruck-Abb. Unbedruckter Pappband. SU.
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Inseln der Götter. Java, Sumatra, Bali. / Gotthard SCHUH. – Zürich: Ex Libris 1960. – 4°. 151, [1] S. mit Tdr.-Abb. Ln. SU.
Das Buch kam zwischen 1941 und 1956 in 11 Auflagen heraus (siehe S. 152). Die vorliegende Ex-Libris-Ausgabe stellt also insgesamt die 12. Ausgabe dar (in HBK2 als 2. Aufl. geführt).
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