Description
“Parallels” stems from Lev Tsimring’s ongoing photographic project “Parallels – Terra Populi.” It contains a selection of 120 black-and-white photographs arranged in 60 pairs. Every page spread features two photos of ordinary people from two very different parts of the world, but related in some way – through story, composition, mood, or facial expression. These surprising connections provide emotive, philosophical, and often humorous reflections on the universality in human conditions and cultures.
Excerpt from the dust jacket:
Lev Tsimring’s photography is both a tapestry of chance encounters and a staggeringly sharp, intimate look at human interaction and expression. Following in the footsteps of street photography masters such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Elliott Erwitt, Tsimring manages to create funny, emotive, and sometimes almost surreal images out of scenes that his eye catches under the most ordinary of circumstances—yet at such perfectly timed moments that they could have been meticulously staged.
They weren’t. Tsimring belongs to a lineage of artists for whom ordinary life contains all of the mystery, beauty, and meaning there is to find. His intense belief in life seems to ensure that, in return, life keeps letting him catch the most revealing of occurrences in a seemingly uneventful day.
An accomplished theoretical physicist, Tsimring has been traveling for much of his adult life, giving lectures all over the world and simultaneously developing his unique style of photography. In the course of these travels, he began to envision the long-term project that would eventually become Parallels . This book presents his selection of 120 black-and-white photographs, arranged in 60 diptychs and divided into four chapters. Each pair of photos tells essentially the same story, played out in two very different places in the world — often years apart. The images reveal with striking immediacy how deeply one person’s experience can echo another’s, regardless of where and how we live. A number of photos contained in this book have been featured in exhibits and publications and have earned international awards. But this is the first time they have been gathered as a narrative ensemble—true to Tsimring’s original vision.
– Olivier Dalle, Publisher
Dennis –
I so envy the photographers that can recognize a moment and then have the talent and skill to capture that moment. Lev is one of these photographers. I am not a good street photographer, but I do know how to appreciate good work. This book is well worth the price. I have not yet looked at the entire book yet, because I want to take the time to fully absorb each page. I have caught myself smiling many times as I turn a page.
Cheers, Dennis
Sandy Powers –
I seriously have no superlative that properly expresses how amazing this book is. I have been an admirer of Lev’s work for many years, so I fully expected this book to NOT disappoint! But it blew me away even more than I expected. The high-end quality truly lets you know that you are feeling and touching fine art on every page. The parallel universe images are brilliant. I look forward to spending many hours looking at every single page in this book and being totally inspired! Thank you, Lev, for putting this work together. I will treasure it forever! And worth the price???? Pssshhhhhh… It’s worth double or triple what it costs!
David Shannahoff-Khalsa –
Lev Tsimring’s new book Parallels is well done in every way. The paper used for the pages is super high quality. This hardback book is very well constructed, and will make an appealing and artful contribution to anyones home if it is well displayed. However, the quality of the photos are the greatest attribute of his work, and they are only amplified given the unique and stimulating the theme of this book. My take on it is his recognition of humanity as one race, the human race, and how apparent that becomes when having had the good fortune to travel much of the globe and making a subtle study of people. The pictures are also ones that can be studied for their professional style and quality for those of us with less skills. Lev’s mastery of the camera makes this book a great gift for others. I look forward to his next book(s).
King Duglas –
“Parallels” is brilliant! It is now one of my favorite art books, irrespective of medium. From the very first image, I was caught up in the game of looking for parallels (a game I enjoy immensely in any case), I laughted out loud numerous times; sometimes because some of the images are simply funny, and other times when I was surprised by Lev’s solutions and by his wit and intelligence.
I love photos of people and he has done such a wonderful job of seeing and capturing so many human moments. I can’t say enough good things about the book, which I am very proud to own. By the way, don’t overlook the “Author’s Note,” which reveals about the book and Lev’s style of working with people and through which it is revealed that Lev Tsimring is also an accomplished writer.