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nolansmock's review
5.0
Even though the New Topographics movement was a big inspiration for me to start making photos, Lewis Baltz was never on my radar. It wasn't until a few people mentioned his series The New Industrial Parks in comparison to the research park work I was making that I sought him out and realized how closely linked those two projects were. Reading further, this almost tongue-in-cheek but biting interview with himself, we have a lot more in common than at first glance. There's a directness to his approach and a bit of snark I can't help but relate with. Maybe that's why it was put away until now, because it's maybe a little too aggressive. I like that though, especially compared to the delicate plumage of words that decorates most contemporary art, and I'm glad it was printed here, although the book format is a little weird; the interview is printed twice, with and without footnotes. A bibliography would've sufficed, so it comes off feeling a little padded for an already small book. The essay gives great context though and I rarely can make it through those kinds of things. Too many words about photographers makes me glaze over. Having mostly seen his work in books, it illuminated his printing process which sounds like it'd be fascinating to see in person. Maybe one day.
cbalaschak's review
A concise introduction to Baltz, including a facsimile and annotation of his peculiar 'self-interview' from 1972.
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