Documentary-Collection

Before leaving I was sceptical how much the book really reflected the way that the Mentawai actually live but when I got to Siberut, and experienced these people for myself I realised how true to life the book really is. It doesn't have anything in it that is not accurate, perhaps slightly glossier than reality at times, but not inaccurate.

I took the opportunity to stay with Aman Lao Lao, the Shaman featured in the book who - like all the Mentawai - is a warm, hospitable and often funny guy. They don't wear their dress for show or for photos, but genuinely do dress in the manner shown in the book, although they might have more modern clothes if they need to visit the port or come into contact with officialdom. The Mentawai people are extremely interesting and good natured and I would urge anyone who has any interest in tribal cultures to look at this book as there are very few places where one can see such an unspoiled civilisation, and this book shows with stunning photography how these wonderful people continue to live

Though I also like "Industrial Facades", "Gas Tanks", "Water Towers", and especially the now out of Print "Blast Furnaces", and can recommend them all, there is something about this book I like best of the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher. Perhaps it is because I worked in the Dortmund area at one time, and these photos evoke memories of the past...

The Bechers offer little commentary. It is not neccessary. The photographs say it all. They speak of an active, busy past and of the transitory nature of humankind's endeavors, once the mines were exhausted or too costly to operate. The photographs are crisp and incredibly detailed. Each Minehead has its own distinct character and beauty. In Germany they used to have names...

You can tell Duncan had a way of communicating with his models that brought the best out of them. He loved life, people and photography. It sure shows in this collection of photographs, and I thank him for leaving us this great contribution of his talented work.

Joe Hanssen

Anyone who has come across one of the famous Mutter Museum calendars will be familiar with the beautiful photographs from the likes of Rosamond Purcell, Joel-Peter Witkin, Max Aquilera-Hellweg, etc. -- and if not, this is the ideal opportunity to experience them. However, for me it is the archival photos from the bowels (ahem!) of the Mutter's storage rooms that are the real treasures here -- many of which have never been published before. In spite of their generally more clinical nature, these photographs of patients and odd medical conditions often acheive a level of artistry equal to the efforts of the featured contemporary photographers.

The images are complemented by an engaging preface and essay by Ms. Worden, discussing not only the reasons why artists are drawn to the Mutter's collections, but also how these 'pathological treasures' came together under the roof of the College of Physicians.

If this book has a fault, it is that there isn't more of it! I am greatly looking forward to future volumes in what I hope will become long series.