“In Anywhere but here, Alison McCauley expresses the restless feeling that has haunted her throughout her life: that the place she is in isn’t where she should be, and a conviction that the next place will be better … Devoid of geographical and temporal reference points, the images are figuratively and literally blurred to emphasise that this is not about location or time, but rather a state of mind.”
My favourite photobook of 2021 and one that has inspired me most, being so close to what I’m trying to do myself. When my images grow up, these are what they want to be. Alison’s blurry, ephemeral, dreamlike, with a sense of transience, are truly visual expressions of a state of mind.
Every page is a delight, and with every page I turn, I go “Yes! I get that!”, followed by huge admiration for the technique.
The image of the dazzling light and bokeh (slide 5) is one that I would love to capture myself. And (slide 8) the one with the man looking out of the window from the darkness of a room, with its slivers of soft, diffused, smeared light coming in through gaps in the curtains is one that resonates powerfully with me.
Released late in 2021 (December), it nevertheless was the number 2 bestselling book of 2021 at Photobookstore (@photobookstore on Instagram) or click here to be taken straight to the book page. This book made the 2021 photobook lists of Matt Stuart, Robin Titchener and Vanessa Winship (all at the photobookstore website).
Book Details
Title: Anywhere but here
Author: Alison McCauley
Publisher: Photo Editions 2021. Softcover, 1st edition, 108pp, 17cm x 24cm.