Background information
"Conceived and edited by film director Martin Bell, the husband of Mary Ellen MARK and collaborator for thirty years, 'The Book of Everything' celebrates in over 600 images and diverse texts the extraordinary life, work and vision of the US-american photographer. From 1963 to her death in 2015, she told brilliant, intimate, provocative stories of characters whom she met and engaged with—often in perpetuity. There was nothing casual or unprepared about the approach of Mary Ellen MARK; she unfailingly empathized with the people and places she photographed.
Content
For this comprehensive book, title 'The Book of Everything', Martin Bell has selected images from thousands of contact-sheets and chromes by Mary Ellen MARK - from over two million frames in total. These include her own now iconic choices, those published once and since lost in time, as well as some of her as yet unpublished preferences. Martin Bell complements these with a few selections of his own. Along with the pictures by Mary Ellen MARK made in compelling, often tragic circumstances, 'The Book of Everything' includes recollections from friends, colleagues and many of those she photographed.
Synopsis
The own thoughts of Mary Ellen MARK reveal doubts and insecurities, her ideas about the individuals and topics she depicted, as well as the challenges of the business of photography." (publisher's note, © Steidl Verlag, 2020)