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Playground

James Mollison
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( 23 ratings, 4 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Playground by James Mollison explores the universal and diverse experiences of children at play across the world. Through meticulously composed composite photographs taken during school breaks in countries ranging from Argentina to Japan and Kenya to the UK, Mollison reveals how play shapes children's understanding of relationships and social positioning. The book provides vivid insights into global diversity and inequality, all framed through the timeless rituals of playground interaction.
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Format: Hardback
$11000

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers interested in photography, social and cultural studies, and childhood development, as well as those drawn to global perspectives on inequality and human connection.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Presents photographs of children at play in their school playgrounds. In this book, the author, inspired by memories of his own childhood, looks at how we all learn to negotiate relationships and our place in the world through play.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

James Mollison's photo projects are based on smart, original concepts applied to serious social and environmental themes. For his latest book, Playground, Mollison has photographed children at play in school playgrounds. Inspired by memories of his own childhood, he was interested in how we all learn to negotiate relationships and our place in the world at a young age through play.

For each picture, Mollison sets up his camera during school break time, making multiple frames, and then composing each final photograph from several scenes, in which he finds revealing "play" narratives. With photographs from rich and poor schools in countries including Argentina, Bhutan, Bolivia, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Norway, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, and the USA, Mollison also provides lively access for readers of all ages to issues of global diversity and inequality.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviews praise Mollison's vibrant, large-scale photographs for their rich colour and thoughtful narratives. Huffington Post highlights the emotional intensity Mollison captures beyond nostalgic memories of playtime, while Wired commends the socio-economic and cultural layers in the imagery. Hyperallergic notes the striking balance between shared childhood experiences and stark class divides depicted in the work.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781597113076

Publisher: Aperture

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 20 April 2015

Country: United States

Imprint: Aperture

Illustration: Illustrated in colour throughout

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 240.0mm

Height: 320.0mm

Weight: 1280g

Pages: 134

About the Author

James Mollison was born in Kenya. His photographs have been featured widely in such publications as Colors, the New York Times Magazine, and Paris Review. He has also published several books, among them James and Other Apes (2004), The Disciples (2008), and Where Children Sleep (2010). Jon Ronson is an award-winning writer and documentary maker. He is the author of many bestselling books, including The Men Who Stare at Goats (2005). He also cowrote the screenplay for the film Frank (2014).

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