DECEITFUL REVERENCE – Collector’s Edition

Everything is so beautiful; the photographs, the text, the different printings, the choice of paper, the personal layout and the very distinct design. (Anders Petersen)

Thanks to the exceptionally free artwork, this very intimate approach has given rise to an unusual, but very convincing, photo book. (Ulrich Rüter | LFI)

DECEITFUL REVERENCE is an exceptional presentation of the meanders of the human internal transformation. Igor Pisuk leads us through the painful process of getting out of alcohol addiction, discovering a new self, dealing with the surrounding reality, seeking the closeness of other man, and – finally – finding love. Everything is embellished with unusually suggestive photographs, showing human nature with no embarrassment.

The process Pisuk got through was a specific therapy and directing the camera lens on himself was a substitute  for alcohol: 'The photography let me express the chaos that was in my head, name different emotions and states, observe the accompanying me loneliness, alienation, love, all kinds of fears and hopes,' – says Igor Pisuk. – 'DECEITFUL REVERENCE is a photographic record of visions, emotions, dreams, nightmares as well as experiencing of the simplest elements of reality in an organic, intense, semi-magical way. The worlds of inner feelings mix here with the outer ones, shaping and affecting the first ones.'

The book, which marks the end of years of the registration of the author’s experiences, pushes the reader on a psychological roller coaster. The dense and dark atmosphere of the pictures doesn’t let go, doesn’t let catch a breath, doesn’t give a moment of respite. With every page of the book we are going deeper and deeper into the recesses of the consciousness and subconsciousness of 'the man who keeps getting lost, loses ground under his feet, falls, but step by step regains the sense of space, first reaches himself, then manages to get outside – into the human world.'* What did he find there? Whom he met?

DECEITFUL REVERENCE goes with a CD containing over 40 minutes of ambient music composed by Bartosz Dziadosz inspired by Igor Pisuk's photographs from the book.

The collector's edition of the book goes with a cardboard box and archival baryta print signed and numbered by the photographer. Check the regular edition of the book.

* Taken from Agata Pyzik’s text accompanying the exhibition of Igor Pisuk @ Pix.House Gallery in Poznań (November-December 2018).

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In the press:

• Every single photo is a result of a certain manipulation (interview) @ dofoto.sk (in English)
• Book review: Igor Pisuk - Deceitful Reverence @ lfi-online.de (in English)
  
• Un sabbat, par Igor Pisuk, photographe @ Le blog de Fabien Ribery (in French)
• Brawo za odwagę @ Przekroj.pl (in Polish)
  
• W albumie pokazał swoją walkę z alkoholizmem. To naprawdę wstrząsający materiał @ natemat.pl (in Polish)
  

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Selected awards:

• Book Photographer of the Year @ the 2019 Moscow International Foto Awards (Russia)
• Gold Winner @ the 2019 Moscow International Foto Awards' Photobook category (Russia)
• Gold Winner @ the 2019 Moscow International Foto Awards' Photobook/Fine Art category (Russia)
• Honourable Mention @ the 2019 Grand Press Photo's Photobook of the Year category (Poland)
• Honourable Mention @ the 2019 International Photography Awards' Photobook/People category (USA)
• Shortlisted @ the 2019 PHotoESPAÑA's Best Photobook of the Year International Award (Spain)
• Official Selection @ the 2019 Athens Photo Festival’s Photobook Exhibition (Greece)
• Photo-Eye's Best Books of 2019 - chosen by Dewi Lewis of Dewi Lewis Publishing (USA)