The Thirty Two Inch Ruler
a book review
A few weeks ago, I found a used copy of the photobook “The Thirty-Two Inch Ruler” by John Gossage. I already own a copy of his book “Should Nature Change” and was familiar with the book “The Pond”, so I was excited to add this book to my little collection.
The book The Thirty-Two Inch Ruler, first published in 2010, is a special book on many levels. Firstly, the design: it is actually two volumes in one. The first two-thirds of the book contains The Thirty-Two Inch Ruler as the dust-cover indicates, followed by two grey blank pages. After those two pages, you will find yourself a bit confused because the following images are upside down. After flipping the book and starting at the back - which is now the front - you have another body of work in your hands: “Map of Babylon”. And if you remove the dust-cover you will find out, that the inside of it is printed as well (matching the second body of work).
Another aspect, which makes this book so special is its content: for the very first time, Gossage - well known for his black and white photographs - had a book published with color photographs. Although I really like black and white photography, I think deep at heart I am a color photography lover. Which is one reason why I instantly connected with this body of work. But let’s talk a bit more about the book before I continue on the personal connection I made with this book.
The narrative in The Thirty-Two Inch Ruler is about the neighborhood in which Gossage lives. He started the project after Donald Rumsfeld (Ex-Secretary of Defense) moved into his neighborhood. Over a full year’s cycle of seasons, he walked the streets of Kalorama photographing cars, front yards, homes and sidewalks.
Kalorama, in particular, is unique. It is an area of Washington that is designated for embassies, ambassadorial residences and private homes, it is protected 24/7 by at least three overlapping police agencies(…). It is seen as a safe and pleasant place to walk, visit or live, at any hour of the day or night.
A place of beauty and calm that you might choose to live in, if you could. A place that makes visual the affectations of wealth and political power.1
And although we know from the introduction in the book, that Gossage is a resident of this neighborhood and probably knows many of the neighbors and security guards, some of the photos evoke the feeling of voyeurism. A feeling, I often carry with me when I am walking around with the camera in my neighbourhood which always makes me a bit uncomfortable.
I looked through the book many times in the past few weeks. Always from a different angle. First, I was taking in the overall quality of each photograph: the coloration, the composition, as well as the play with depth of field which I love so much.
I studied the pairing of the images and the sequencing of the photographs in the book, which I find both excellent and a great source to learn how it’s done properly.
Although the photographs have to be seen as a whole, every individual picture can hold its own ground. Gossage’s way of seeing is both unique and familiar. While flipping through the pages, I saw many similarities to my work. He photographs things, most people would most likely not pay much attention to: a withered leaf on the sidewalk, a piece of trash stuck on a fence or a string tied to a lamp post. Ordinary objects in familiar places, probably boring and weird, or just not very photogenic to most people.
Not to me though.
Ever since I started photographing, I felt drawn to scenes like these, but mostly kept the photos to myself because I was sure nobody would get them or would be interested in looking at them. This might sound silly, but seeing Gossage’s photos in this book was like a confirmation that my own images are valid.
The photographs in The Thirty-Two Inch Ruler make me feel nostalgic because they remind me of the time while I was living in Chicago. The concrete sidewalks, the cars and the architecture - all familiar sights. But they also resonate with me, because I have been walking and photographing my neighborhood here in Hamburg for the last eighteen months. I imagined Gossage walking his orderly and pristine neighborhood, looking for signs to prove that even in this “pleasant place” as he calls it, not everything is as flawless and perfect as you might think.
Here are a few pages from the volume The Thirty-Two Inch Ruler:2
I hope you enjoyed my little review of this wonderful book. It is definitely one of my new favorites!
In case you haven’t read my post about The importance of photobooks you can read it here
Before I say goodbye for today, I wanted to welcome all the new subscribers who have found their way to my little newsletter in the last couple of days. I am excited and grateful for every single one of you. It is so good to have you here. Feel free to check out my little introduction if you want to learn more about me.
That’s all from me today. Thank you for being here and for reading this week’s newsletter.
X,
Susanne
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John Gossage, The Thirty-Two Inch Ruler (Page 9)
I didn’t include a review for Map of Babylon, because it didn’t resonate as much with me and I still haven’t studied it as deeply.
Wonderful! Love Gossage.
Such a great format to discover new photo books!