The book was released at Institut suédois in Paris, in connection with the opening of Maja Daniels' exhibition 'On the Silence of Myth'. Documentation: Ricardo Sousa
Peripheral vision is the ability to see things outside of your direct line of sight. To notice and pay attention to what isn’t necessarily most obvious is a gift that the photographers in this book share. They represent different views and approaches to a changing Sweden and show a selection of contemporary photography that oscillates between the documentary and the poetic.
This book collects twenty Swedish photographic practices, most of which have emerged during the last decade. It is produced by the Center for Photography (CFF)* in Sweden, with the ambition of deepening knowledge about Swedish photography and helping it to reach a wider audience in Sweden and abroad.
For the design of the book, Lundgren+Lindqvist explored how the concept of peripheral vision could be applied. At first glance, the cover appears devoid of text, instead showcasing an image by Maja Daniels, from her celebrated 2019 series Elf Dalia. However, the title is printed along the book’s edges, drawing attention to what lies on the periphery and inviting the reader to rotate the book to fully reveal it. On the back cover, a blind-debossed list of the twenty featured photographers adds another layer of tactility.
The blue used on the cover was chosen by identifying the dominant color across all the images presented in the book. Gmund Colors Matt 55 was selected for its accurate reflection of this shade. Blue, of course, is also generally associated with Sweden, not only due to its presence in the national flag. The edges of the book block were printed in the same blue hue, reinforcing the cohesive appearance of the book.
For the inlay, Lundgren+Lindqvist developed a system that allocates a specific position for each photographer. The challenge was to implement this in a way that would not detract from the primary focus of the book — the images. As the reader flips through, each photographer’s name and corresponding page numbers progressively descend on the page, creating an unobtrusive yet dynamic structure.
Each chapter centers on a single photographer’s work, beginning with detailed information about the images and concluding with their biography. Additionally, each artist was invited to share an image that reflects their work process. These images, offering a rare glimpse into the photographers’ working environments, serve as both an introduction and a conclusion to the book.
Two types of paper were used for the inlay: Munken Print White 1.8 115 gsm for the divider and text pages, and Arctic Silk 150 gsm for the plates.
The book features Swiss binding, which reveals the spine when opened. Since each photographer was assigned their own signature, their names and page numbers are listed along the corresponding section of the spine. As a result, the spine acts as a secondary table of contents, with the text placement adhering to the established typographic system, contributing to the overall harmony of the design.
In October 2024, the book won the prestigious Svensk Bokkonst Award (The Most Beautiful Swedish Books).
Editors: Kristyna Müller, Magnus af Petersens
Texts: Magnus Bons, Onkar Kular, Olga Krzeszowiec Malmsten, Elisa Medde, Kristyna Müller, Magnus af Petersens, Ieva Ruadsepa, Dragana Vujanović Östlind
Design: Lundgren+Lindqvist
2023, English, softcover
352 pages, 21,6 x 27,6 cm
ISBN: 9789198672145
Texts: Magnus Bons, Onkar Kular, Olga Krzeszowiec Malmsten, Elisa Medde, Kristyna Müller, Magnus af Petersens, Ieva Ruadsepa, Dragana Vujanović Östlind
Design: Lundgren+Lindqvist
2023, English, softcover
352 pages, 21,6 x 27,6 cm
ISBN: 9789198672145
Participating artists: Ikram Abdulkadir, Karin Alfredsson, Elin Berge, Maja Daniels, Charlotta Hammar, Erik Holmstedt, Martina Hoogland Ivanow, Cia Kanthi, Heikki Kaski, Klara Källström & Thobias Fäldt, Mårten Lange, Inka & Niclas Lindergård, Eric Magassa, Martin Magntorn, Chris Maluszynski, Katarina Pirak Sikku, Mia Rogersdotter Gran, Sofia Runarsdotter, Johannes Samuelsson and Märta Thisner.
*CFF is a nationwide association for photographers and professionals active in photography. The mission of CFF is to impart knowledge, provide general education and support various types of professionals within photography. The book is distributed by Art & Theory Publishing.
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