Mary Ellen Mark: Ward 81

I bought this book in paper bound the year it was published, and I had recently left my job at Camarillo Hospital in California. It was an amazing picture of life in a mental hospital. I lent the book to a friend and saw the price go up to several hundred dollars-- so I got the new version (at Powells) that came out shortly after they decided to rebuild the Oregon State Hospital where the pictures were taken. The book stands as a reminder of the days before active treatment (in the Treatment Malls) and a more humanized and respectful caring for those with mental illness . Great book, without a doubt.

fascinating and interesting book of photos. while i am not a photographer, it's easy to see and understand the shots.

Absolutely love this book. I first found out if this book at school and I could not put it down. A must have!

This is an amazing book, especially you photographers. The photographs are all raw and depict the life in an asylum very well.

great pics!

This is a long, thing book of powerful photographs. I have been a fan of Mary Ellen Mark for many years but only recently added this book to my library. As mentioned, the photography is extraordinary as is the subject matter. I particularly liked the fact that a variety of different format sizes were used in the book. Visually, this method allows for each photograph to be the size that is most appropriate and/or aesthetically pleasing.

In the early 70's I spent 6 months in ward 81 for being transgender. I knew many of the women in this book. It was a living nightmare. Now some 45 years later, it's remnants of a bad dream. So glad someone cared enough to photograph some of the souls who endured this horrible place.

Exellent

Un lavoro molto emozionante, lo avevo visto on-line, ma vedere le foto stampate è tutta un'altra cosa. Lo consiglio è da vedere!

Purchased this book because I was doing a project on Mary Ellen Mark. It's a very moving book. I would recommend this for any photographer

マリー・エレン・マークの代表作。1976年にオレゴン州の女性限定精神科病院(通称 ｢WORD 81｣)に36日間に渡って撮影されたドキュメンタリー作品。「17歳のカルテ」を観た人にはイメージしやすいと思うがまさにああいった雰囲気が写真の中から読み取れる。圧倒されるような力強さではなく、群青色のような静かな哀しみ、パワー。女性カメラマンならではと感じさせられる芯の通った説得力がある。ただ、ドキュメンタリータッチでの文章構成・撮影場所であるに関わらずアーティスティックな色が強めの写真が混ざっているところが気になる。あくまで私はこういった被写体について不要な脚色は無くすべきだと思うが報道ではないのでカメラマンの立場が中立ではないということだろう、何か意図があったのかも知れないが残念ながら私にはわからなかった。英語の解説が付きで、コレを読んでるのと読んでないのとで、受けるイメージが全然違う。難しい文章ではないので、辞書を引きつつでも一度読んでから写真を眺めることをお勧めする。