SPINATSCH, Jules.
Temporary Discomfort. Chapter I-V. Davos, Genoa, New York, Evian, Geneva.
(Baden): (Lars Müller Publishers), (2005).
4to (330 x 241 mm), pp.192 (inc. 4 gatefolds). 97 colour and 20 black-and-white photographs, texts by Martin Jaeggi and Jamie Shea, concept and design by Winfried Heininger. Black endpapers. Black leatherette-covered boards, lettered in white, colour photographic reproduction affixed to lower side. Fine.
First edition. In Temporary Discomfort, Jules Spinatsch documents Davos, Genoa, New York, Évian-les-Bain, and Geneva in a transitory state of emergency lock-down during the World Economic Forum and other global economic summits. His photographs approach the subject matter from multiple viewpoints in an attempt to present the perspective of all of the concerned parties. ‘The series aims to achieve a speculative reconstruction of the situations in those cities. The work is speculative not only in terms of these facts but also in regard to the use and expectations of documentary photography. Further, it raises questions about the conditions under which photography is and can be produced today.’ The title refers to the atmosphere that descends on these cities due to the increased security measures that are put in place during such events for the world’s government leaders.
Temporary Discomfort was awarded the book of the year award at the 2005 Rencontres de la photographie, Arles.
Parr and Badger, The Photobook: A History Vol. II pp.324-5; Martin Parr’s Best Books of the Decade pp.24-5, 76.
