Monograph: I Am – Paradox Identity
I Am – Paradox Identity assembles the portraits of young women in Paris’ banlieues, linked through their Muslim culture, in the age between 17 and 27. I wanted to reveal an image more true to her recognition as an independent young woman, in charge of managing her life to her standards and beliefs, being a young European woman knowing to deal with her paradox identity. Therefore I was curious to know her intimate thoughts, her perception on her identity, her culture and religion, her ambition.
– The book design was awarded Best Book Design 2008
Each booklet, size A3, has four double-pages, printed at both sides – of which the images are printed full size either comprising two or three images on one page. The viewer, while going through these pages, is the one who gets to reassemble a personal narrative by unfolding and mixing the booklets, varying in sequential sampling and editing. Also the pages are loose, refering to posters of ‘pop-idols’, to be hung on the wall.
The book consists of loose booklets; six of them consisting of images and one entire booklet is an assemblage of the interviews: Its conception originated from the idea I had in mind that all intimate spheres and lives of these Muslim women portrayed, within this physical presentation of a book,‘meet’ and cross each other. As all lives are connected in a certain way when merging in and out of private spheres and biographies traversing from suburb to suburb, as I had experienced.
I Am – Paradox Identity, © Ilse Frech, 2008.
Episode Publishers
Folded | 96 p | 24 x 34 cm
ISBN 9789059731004 French edition € 35,00
ISBN 9789059731073 English edition € 35,00 (sold out)
