Prom (Getty Publications –) - Tapa dura

"Known for her portraiture and for her unflinching eye in uncomfortable zones, this time Mark has set herself the challenge of looking at the quintessential American coming-of-age-ritual--the senior prom. . . . If the exhibition fascinates, the book is a must-have."--Weekly Press (Philadelphia] "Awkward. Hilarious. Heartbreaking. Magical. The high-school prom is a very American rite of passage. Renowned photographer Mary Ellen Mark invites herself to the dance, capturing the poignant moment teenagers teeter on the edge of adulthood."--Smithsonian "Award-winning photographer Mary Ellen Mark traveled the country to find an eclectic mix of subjects for her latest work, Prom. . . . Mark captured the hope, fear, sadness, joy (and yes, awkwardness) that prom brings in black-and-white photos."--Washington Post "A breathtaking look at an American rite of passage."--People "Prom makes the high school ritual a unifying experience: the excitement of prom night--and the impending march into adulthood--transcends cultural, socioeconomic and social barriers."--The New York Times's Lens Blog "Prom, by real-life photojournalist Mary Ellen Mark, captures this quintessential rite of passage in its infinite variety."--W "Mark's vivid black-and-white prints celebrate the great variety and individuality of high school students through a study of prom-goers and their dates."--The Huffington Post "A remarkable record of young people on the brink of change."--Publishers Weekly

This title offers a compelling look at a modern rite of passage by the acclaimed documentary photographer Mary Ellen Mark. The high school prom is an American (but fast becoming an international) tradition and rite of passage. The internationally renowned documentary photographer Mary Ellen Mark took on the extraordinary challenge of working with the Polaroid 20X24 Land camera to produce this fascinating look at dozens of young people from a diverse range of backgrounds on one of the most memorable nights of their lives. Travelling across America from New York City via Charlottesville and Houston to Los Angeles from 2006 to 2009, Mary Ellen photographed prom-goers at thirteen schools, capturing scores of images. Here, 129 large-format photographs are reproduced as an affectionate tribute to the prom goers punctuated with their own quotations, some of which are downright comical, while others are deeply touching. The result is a revealing document of American youth at the turn of the twenty-first century. Mary Ellen's husband, the filmmaker Martin Bell, collaborated with her on the project to produce and direct a film, also called Prom, featuring interviews with the students about their lives, dreams, and hopes for the future. A DVD of the film is packaged with the book.