Description: In this sumptuously printed, large-format publication, distinguished Magnum photographers Paolo Pellegrin (born 1964) and Alex Majoli (born 1971) present a collaborative document of the Congo and its people. Bringing together the best of each photographer's personal styles as well as experimental forays into abstraction and collage, this volume captures what Alain Mabanckou describes as a full range of the landscape, "from urban scenes to great forests and back, reflecting the way it is in most African societies today." With no captions or individual photo credits, the densely printed images--presented on full-bleed pages, as gatefolds or as double-spread gatefolds--become wholly immersive. The outcome is a profound study of the Congo, and the resulting object exemplifies the expressive possibilities of contemporary documentary photography. Proceeds of the sale of this book go to Lynx for Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to cultural development programs.
Brief description: Alex Majoli became a member of Magnum Photos in 2001. Throughout his photography career, he has documented conflict worldwide, including assignments for the New York Times Magazine, Granta, National Geographic, and Newsweek.
Review Quotes: Just take in the powerful photos: Grand landscapes, gritty industrial sites, wild creatures, impoverished villagers and elaborate tribal rituals all co-mingle to reflect the complexity of the Republic of Congo (not the neighboring DRC). Mainly black-and-white with a smattering of color, this imagery conveys the stunning beauty and harsh reality of its geographic backdrop.--Jack Crager"American Photo" (06/15/2015)