I have fallen down the rabbit hole into the world of Rodney Smith and I'm taking you with me.
(Photo by Rodney Smith)
It all began when someone told me to check out Smith's Web site — that the photos had this modernized, old-timey classic look. So I visited, and was greeted by an advertisement for Smith's new book.
Impressed by the photographs, and intrigued by what was touted as "The Hat Book," "The Book of Books," I asked to borrow a review copy, in no way expecting what came in the mail.
It may not literally be the biggest book ever, but the thing is monolithic and has a price tag of more than $700. It almost broke the mailman's back. And the cover declares, in neat but ominous lettering, "The End."
That's the book's title.
The design, graphics and layout alone could be considered art, and the text is hilarious. In any case, I wanted to be fair and treat this book like every other, by giving it a thorough review. Which meant toting it around during my daily routine, perusing it at every spare moment.
Now I know you're dying to see the photos, so without much further ado, I will show them to you.
Smith is something of a classicist: If he had a choice, he'd only shoot black and white. His composition is painstakingly perfect. But there's also a theatrical whimsy and playfulness to his work; you can see traces of Cartier-Bresson as well as Magritte.
And the photos are really invigorated by the text that accompanies them. In one instance, the text is so small you need a magnifying glass to read it. On another page is a list of quotes allegedly uttered by Smith's turbulent alter-ego, Mr. S:
Let's try that again, only this time don't act natural.
Inform the caterer we break for lunch at 10 a.m.
You fog my lens.
Some people are dog people. Some people are cat people. I'm caviar people.
Never touch my cape!
Color is for sissies.
The author, Walter Thomas, has built a wonderfully fantastical world around the photos. You can't tell where they come from, so I won't tell you. Just enjoy them for what they are. If you want to learn more, Smith recently starting experimenting in the world of blogging:
Well. Here I am. On the internet. I am not so sure someone like me belongs here. I shoot film. I listen to Beethoven and Copland. I visit the post office daily. I relish my daily morning paper. But, technology calls, and I feel compelled to try and enter the twenty-first century on all four feet.
I should warn you: should you choose to enter this peculiar world, you might lose track of time and space. You might be left wondering, where does The End begin, and where does the beginning end?
Also: please read this addendum.
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