SCHMIDT, Michael - Waffenruhe - German Re-edit!

Background information

"In contrast to the consciously sober – but far from clinical images of his earlier series, Michael SCHMIDT uses atmospheric details with high-contrast black-and-white images of cityscapes, details in nature, and portraits in 'Waffenruhe' to create a subjective, leaden picture of a still-divided city. He no longer deploys the techniques of pure documentation, but brings together surprising combinations of images to express a generation’s dystopian sense of life shortly before the fall of the Wall.  Michael SCHMIDT evokes a world of ruptures and absences that eschews a confident, comprehensive point of view. The images work with Einer Schleef’s text to create a brusque, entirely individual perspective on the fragility of human existence." (publisher's note, © Koenig, 2018)

The history of 'Waffenruhe'

"The first edition of the photo volume 'Waffenruhe' by Michael SCHMIDT, published in 1987 by the Berlin-based Dirk Nishen Verlag quickly sold out and continues to fetch high prices on the antiquarian book market. Thirty years later, 'Waffenruhe' has been reprinted. This artist’s book – often included on lists of the most influential photographic books of all time – is once again being made available." (publisher's note, © Koenig, 2018)
'Waffenruhe' is included in some books about photo books.

References

Martin Parr and Gerry Badger (eds): The Photobook. A History, vol 2, page 65.
Hasselblad Center (ed.): The Open Book, page 336/337.
Auer, M. & M. (ed.) - 802 photo books from the M.+M. Auer collection, page 673

About the German photographer, Michael SCHMIDT

Photo books by and about Michael SCHMIDT