LONDON- PRIVATE RECEPTION AND BOOK SIGNING OF GEORG
GERSTER PARADISE LOST: PERSIA FROM ABOVE EDITED BY
MARYAM SACHS
THURSDAY, MARCH 11TH, 2010 6PM-8PM
VIEWING: MARCH 11TH 2010, 10AM-6PM
The viewing ands reception will be held at the company’s
London headquarters: Phillips de Pury & Company, Howick Place,
London
SW1P 1BB Tel: +44 20 7318 4010 www.phillipsdepury.com
On the shore of Lake Maharlu, Iran 1976
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
London–Private reception and book signing of Georg Gerster Paradise Lost:
Persia From Above, edited by Maryam Sachs and published by Phaidon Press.
Ten astonishing aerial photographs of Persia by award-winning Swiss
photographer Georg Gerster, taken in the immediate years before the 1979
Iranian Revolution, that feature in Paradise Lost: Persia From Above, will be on
exhibition for the first time in London at Phillips de Pury & Company to
coincide with the book signing.
Dahan-e Ghulaman, Iran 1977
In the late 1970’s Gerster was granted permission by Her Majesty Empress Farah
Pahlavi to record the Persian topography. It was a rare opportunity, resulting in
vivid photographs that capture the rich Persian landscapes and city structures
that few people outside the country have been able to experience. Once the
Revolution broke out, however, Gerster’s plan to produce a book of these
photographs was brought to an immediate halt. Nearly thirty years after their
execution, the photographs were rediscovered by Maryam Sachs, who, with her
stunning vision, finally brought the book project to fruition. She calls the book
her “gift to all Persians;” and indeed, Phillips de Pury & Company is thrilled to
have the opportunity to introduce these photographs in London to a diverse
audience who are both familiar and unfamiliar with the Persian landscape.
Harvesting Salt on Lake Maharlu, Iran
1976
The audience will be given the opportunity to view some of Persia’s most
magnificent mosques in all of their luminous beauty. While such works reveal
the more documentary aspects of Gerster’s works, an undoubtedly artistic
approach is present in his landscape views. The abstraction of these works
obscures a precise identification and evokes a sense of mystery as to place and
location. At the same time, Gerster still presents his audience with
photographs that capture the stunning beauty of Persia’s landscapes,
especially when seen from above.
Georg Gerster’s career spans over 40 years of aerial photography above 111
countries and six continents. Born in Winterthur, Switzerland in 1928, Georg
received his doctorate from Zurich University. Since 1956 he has been a
Mashhad, Iran 1977
freelance journalist, and has worked on a regular basis for the Neue Zürcher
Zeitung and the Washington-based National Geographic. He has undertaken
extensive visits to every part of the world.
Maryam Sachs worked closely with Georg Gerster for five years to produce
this unique project about her native country and bring an exceptional collection
of photographs to a wider audience for the first time. Born in Iran, Maryam was
educated at the Sorbonne in Paris, and has a Masters in Economic
Development from Columbia University, New York. Her books include the
anthologies ‘The Kiss’ and ‘The Moon’, as well as ‘The Wild Emperor’ (with her
husband, Mr. Rolf Sachs) and ‘Sans te dire adieu’, a novel. Mrs. Sachs lives in
London.
Crop and Range Lands in Azerbaijan,
Iran, 1976
PHILLIPS de PURY & COMPANY
Founded in 1766, Phillips de Pury & Company has emerged as one of the
world’s leading art companies. The auction house has established itself as a
tastemaker in Contemporary Art, photographs, prints, design and jewelry
through its innovative exhibitions and auctions. The company has offices and
representatives in twelve cities on three continents, and is renowned for its
beautiful and lavish catalogues, dynamic architectural exhibition spaces,
popular events and record breaking sales. Led by Simon de Pury, the chairman
of the company, a key figure in the art market and one of the world’s most
talented auctioneers, Phillips de Pury & Company has positioned itself as one
of the most important forces in today’s art world.
Further information is available upon request. Please contact the
communications department below for further details or images.
UPCOMING SALE DATES INCLUDE:
The Estate of Mrs. Harry N. Abrams Auction (NY): April 7, 2010
Photographs (NY): April 16, 2010
Jewels (NY): April 21, 2010
Design (London): April 28, 2010
Contemporary Art (NY): May 13 & 14 2010
THEME SALES:
NOW (NY): March 6, 2010 12 PM
SEX (London): March 19, 2010 5 PM
BRIC (Saatchi Gallery): April 23, 24 & 25, 2010
FILM (NY): April 29, 2010
AFRICA (NY): May 15, 1020
-END-
Press Contacts:
Fiona McGovern
Communications Assistant to Thierry Nataf – Senior Vice President
Bandar-e Bushehr, Iran 1977
[email protected]
+ 44 20 7318 4010
Sarah Baptiste
Assistant to Thierry Nataf – Senior Vice President
[email protected]
+44 20 7318 4010