Instant Light. Tarkovsky. Polaroids

June 2nd, 2009 · No Comments · History, Photographs

Instant Light: Tarkovsky Polaroids

Polaroid photographs drawn from a pool of about 200 taken by the great Russian film director in Russia and Italy between 1979 and 1984

Ingmar Bergman is quoted as saying ‘…for me, Tarkovsky is the greatest filmmaker’ — not bad, considering that the source is numbered among the most respected directors in the history of cinema. Tarkovsky made a ’scant’ 7 films over the course of his career — but each one of them is outstanding. His philosophy of art and spirituality pervades all of his work — including the incredible photographs reproduced in this thoughtfully assembled, lovingly printed volume.

Tarkovsky’s son along with Giovanni Chiaramonte (a wonderful Italian photographer whose comments at the end of the book show that he shared a great deal of Tarkovsky’s spirit and concerns) have put together this collection — it will not only be treasured by those who are already admirers of the director, but that it will serve as a fitting introduction to those who have as yet missed out on him. Tonino Guerro (a close friend and collaborator of the filmmaker) contributes a wonderful forward.

The strength, depth of spirituality, transcendent beauty and wisdom contained in and conveyed by the images and thoughts here are timeless. One of the driving forces in Tarkovsky’s work was to ’stop time’ so that the viewer might better understand not only the events depicted in his images, but also, upon reflection, better view his own soul, personality and place in the scheme of things. There are many photographs in this book that have that very time-stopping effect.