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Following the success of Humanitas and Humanitas II: The People of Gujarat,
photographer Fredric Roberts now turns his lens to the captivating and
controversial country of Myanmar (formerly Burma). The result of eight
years of travel throughout the region, the one hundred twenty-four
photographs in Humanitas III focus on the spiritually rich lives of the
Burmese people. Featuring temples, portraits, scenes of everyday life, and
incredible landscape, Humanitas III offers a rare view of a country that
has been closed to-or avoided by-many photographers due to its
social isolation and reputation for political repression.
Cicero coined the term humanitas (literally, "human nature") to
describe the development of human virtue in all its forms, denoting
fortitude, judgment, prudence, eloquence, and even love of
honor-which contrasts with our contemporary connotation of humanity
(understanding, benevolence, compassion, mercy). The Latin term is
certainly a fitting book title as we are struck with respect and awe for
Robertsís subjectsí individual fortitude and eloquence rather
than pity for their plight: each photograph tells us a compelling story.
Edited by Britt Salvesen, the department head and curator of the
photography department at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Teri J.
Edelstein, principal of Teri J. Edelstein Associates, Museum Strategies and
former Deputy Director of The Art Institute of Chicago, many of the images
present subjects looking directly at the photographer and at the reader,
effortlessly prompting a cross-cultural dialogue. An introductory essay is
written by Emma Larkin, an expert journalist/author covering Myanmar, who
provides context for Robertsís photographs by describing the lives of
the Burmese peoples. A second essay, on the nature and spirit of the
photography, is written by Ms. Edelstein.
To Purchase this book go to:
www.amazon.com
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New York Times Sunday Book Review |
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Humanitas II: Photographs by Fredric Roberts
is a book about relationships that tells a story of beauty and
grace, work and family, spirituality and devotion, while decoding
the notion of documentation and representation. Echoing photography
of India through time yet created in a contemporary context,
the photographs in this book are concerned with the present and
its link to the past, notions that are fully realized through
the photographic process. Fredric Roberts photographs ordinary
and daily life occurrences, ceremonies, revealing the interiority
of a place. This time he is in India-Mumbai, and throughout
the state of Gujarat: Chhota-Udepur, Ahmedabad, Poshina, Zainabad,
Bhuj, Gondal, and Palitana. In the last six years he has been
to Rajastan, as well as Cambodia, Bhutan, Thailand, Myanmar,
China, and Tibet. In his portraits the subject often looks directly
at him and then to us, the readers, effortlessly constructing
historical significance in the process. These photographs reveal
the rapport Roberts establishes with his subjects as well as
their own sense of elegance and self-possession.
Deborah Willis, Ph.D.
143 Four color plates, 158 pp, 10.5"X11.25"
Hardcover
Published by Abbeville Press
To Purchase this book go to:
www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
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For the past five years, ROBERTS has photographed
South Asians in some of the areas recently ravaged by the tsunami.
While the creation of these photographs preceded this disaster,
it is nonetheless a tribute to these people and is coincidentally
being released as the world deals with this tragedy. "Humanitas" means
the development of human virtue in all its forms, to its fullest
extent - a fitting title for this magnificent collection of photography.
ROBERTS traveled throughout Asia, from India to Cambodia, Bhutan
to Thailand, Myanmar to China, capturing with his lens its people
in all their understanding, compassion, fortitude, and honor
- a splendid humanity.
Fredric Roberts was an investment banker who encountered
many wealthy people who seemed spiritually bereft. Several years
ago, in a dramatic life change, he left his comfortable world to
embrace a life surrounded by individuals who had no concept of
wealth in terms of worldly goods, and he found a different richness
and dignity. In order to reach many of these people ROBERTS had
to journey to places where there were no phones, electricity or
plumbing. In many cases he even had to bring his own food as there
would not be enough to feed one more mouth. Over the years, through
his travels, ROBERTS made a life changing recognition: wealth comes
from inside. This is the essence that he has captured and is sharing
with the rest of the world if only to remind us. With an introduction
by Arthur Ollman, Director of the Museum for the Photographic Art,
and afterword by Dennis High, Executive Director/Curator, Center
for Photographic Art. Humanitas is destined to be a classic in
the vein of Edward Steichan's landmark The Family of Man.
HUMANITAS was a finalist for Forward Magazine's
2005 Book Of The Year Award.
55 Four color plates, 88 pp, 10.5"X11.25"
Clothbound
Published by Abbeville Press
To Purchase this book go to:
www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.borders.com
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