A defining photobook era publication, Sleeping by the Mississippi by Alec Soth (b.1969) was first released by Steidl in 2004. Sold in three editions, it established Soth as one of the leading lights of contemporary photographic practice. Evolving from a series of road trips along the Mississippi River, the series captures America’s iconic yet often-neglected ‘third coast.’ Soth’s descriptive, large-format colour photographs present an eclectic mix of individuals, landscapes and interiors. This September, MACK launches a new edition to coincide with the first exhibition in London dedicated to the series at Beetles+Huxley.
“In the book’s 46 ruthlessly edited pictures, Soth alludes to illness, procreation, race, crime, learning, art, music, death, religion, redemption, politics, and cheap sex” writes Anne Wilkes Tucker in the original essay published in the book.
Alec Soth, Sleeping by the Mississippi, new edition available from MACK in September.
Credits
1. Alec Soth, Sleeping by the Mississippi, 2004.