Copyright © Bertien van Manen
Book Cover in this corner 57 photographs adorn the pages all of them on one page or two in full-bleed black and white. Peering through these pages you cannot help but smile at the comedic timing on offer. Taken from 1963-1974 in the Bay area in San Francisco the transitional politics of the period merge with surreal everyday absurdities. What I can only describe as the perfect ‘ironic cropping’ shows a woman being fed a hot dog by an unknown person stage right, as a cow’s back end is visible as its head disappears off frame stage left.
Copyright © Bertien van Manen
People are often dissected, decapitated or obscured by their surroundings in a hilarious fashion. Sport and leisure play a key role in Graves work. A positive wealth Americana is present as well as the political realities of the era which are printed inside the fold-out cover in chronological order. Many cultural and historic moments are featured from the publishing of The Feminine Mystique, signing of the Civil Rights Act, the Vietnam war, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior and Robert Kennedy; through to Watergate, Nixon’s resignation and ending with the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ 30 October 1974. In a time of protest, revolution, and upheaval some of these moments may seem trivial but daily life goes on. The mundane lonely moments of reflection as a diner gazes into space as a saxophonist performs in his direction are as fascinating as the lively ones. Soldiers make appearances in fun places, standing out against the frivolity. Unaware of the camera a man sits and stares, as a mounted gun at a fairground points directly into his face. This apposition although funny could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the wilful and accidental ignorance of the general public – whilst turmoil reigns we go out to play. A great book, enjoyable and thought-provoking in equal measure.
The Home Front
Kenneth Graves
Publisher Mack Books
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