Photobook Belge

Since the birth of photography, the photobook has always been an essential medium for photographers wanting to display and distribute their work. But the photobook is more than just a display case: it’s a means of expression, an art object, a historical record, a propaganda tool, a multi-sensory experience. Photobook Belge is the first ever overview of photobooks created by Belgian photographers. Covering a period of more than 150 years, from the mid 19th century to the present, it features almost 250 photobooks, all carefully described and illustrated. It’s the first time that research into the production and context of Belgian photobooks has been carried out on this scale. In so doing, it sheds light on a hitherto neglected part of Belgium’s long and fascinating photo history. Over time, the Belgian photobook has become well established. With Photobook Belge, it finally gets the recognition it deserves. Featuring works by famous names such as Dirk Braeckman, Marcel Broodthaers, Bieke Depoorter, Gilbert Fastenaekens, Edmond Fierlants, Geert Goiris, Harry Gruyaert, Max Pinckers, Marie-Françoise Plissart, Marc Trivier and Stephan Vanfleteren, as well as many undiscovered gems from Belgium’s rich photographic history. Compiled by Tamara Berghmans (curator FOMU – Fotomuseum Antwerp), with contributions from Pool Andries, Jan Baetens, Sandrine Colard, Emmanuel d’Autreppe, Johan De Vos, Steven F. Joseph, Johan Pas and Stefan Vanthuyne. Contents: Tamara Berghmans; Introduction – Steven F. Joseph; The 19th Century – Pool Andries; The 20th Century up to 1965 – Sandrine Colard; The Congo Photobook: 75 Years of Imaging the Colonial Bond – Jan Baetens; Words and Images – Emmanuel d’Autreppe; …To Stop the Waves. Or How to Centre a Marginal Country on the Page – Johan De Vos; The Big World Seen from Belgium – Johan Pas; Photobook to Artist’s Book: The Conceptual Turn in Belgium – Stefan Vanthuyne; Thinking in Books – Selective Bibliography – About the Authors – Index of Names – Index of Books.

Published on the occasion of the exhibition Photobook Belge at FOMU – Fotomuseum Antwerp, Belgium, 1 March – 6 October, 2019.