This book collects lovely, lush photography from three artists: Wibke Riemann, Matthias Reuss, and Rola Simulis. Their contributions appear interleaved, but in similar format: one page of poetic text across from a full-page B&W photo. Sameness of format does not imply sameness of content, though. The striking differences between these three artists provide contrasts at every turn of the page.
Simulis's work caught my eye first. Although he has the fewest pieces in this set, I found them the most dramatic. Of the artists here, only he presents couples instead of single figures, and he presents them intimately coupled. Pale figures against a midnight backdrop - I find it hugely evocative. Riemann presented just a few photos, too. Each one captures a simple image of a woman alone, usually against an outdoor backdrop. Reuss's work predominates by a large margin. Like Riemann, he addresses the lone model, often contrasting her soft sleekness to the rugged, hard surfaces of stone and forest.
These works don't challenge the viewer to see figure differently, but that's OK. Instead, they work within many people's comfort zones to express simple statements about human grace and beauty. That works for me.
-- wiredweird
PS: The text, usually half of each two-page spread, is in German. I look forward to a review by someone who reads German.