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Rotan Switch
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Rotan Switch

Collector Grade · B+ Rarity · Uncommon
Hardcover 204 pages 1.05 kg

Description

Rotan Switch investigates the subtle material qualities and transformative potential of rattan through Lisa McCord’s photographic study. Spanning 204 pages in hardcover format, the book emphasizes tactile and structural aspects of rattan, focusing on moments where traditional weaving and craftsmanship meet contemporary interpretations. McCord’s methodical sequencing highlights texture, form, and nuanced variations in natural light, cultivating a reflective and contemplative atmosphere that explores the boundary between organic materiality and human shaping.This volume holds interest for collectors focused on material-oriented photography and books that emphasize craft and form over conventional narrative. Published by Kehrer Verlag in 2024, the work is presented with a restrained visual vocabulary inviting consideration of how natural fibers are perceived and reconfigured in modern contexts. Given the comprehensive yet nuanced approach and the limited information on print run or rarity, this photobook contributes to conversations about the interface of nature, craft, and photographic documentation and may appeal to those building collections around innovative material-focused photographic practice.

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LISA MCCORD : ROTAN SWITCH : LEICA GALLERY
LISA MCCORD : ROTAN SWITCH : LEICA GALLERY
Lisa McCord - USA
Lisa McCord – USA

Reviews & Articles

Love of Place – Review of “Rotan Switch” by Lisa McCord

“Rotan Switch” by Lisa McCord is a deeply personal photographic memoir that explores her hometown in Arkansas over more than forty years. The book blends social, geographic, and autobiographical narratives, documenting the complexities of race, class, and community through intimate black-and-white images. Unlike typical photo books, it is meant to be read like literature, presenting a compelling story that captures the nuances of life in a rural Southern town. The book combines family photography with broader social commentary, enriched by multiple voices reflecting on the shared history and context. Read Article

Rotan Switch

Rotan Switch is an autobiographical photo book by Lisa McCord that documents life on her grandparents’ cotton farm in Rotan, Arkansas. Spanning 45 years from 1978 to 2021, it explores the rural South’s socioeconomic and racial complexities through intimate images of five generations of a community. McCord, a white photographer and landowner’s granddaughter, reflects on her own privilege and the intertwined histories of industry, agriculture, racism, and injustice in this unique place. The narrative unfolds like a family album or diary, inviting readers to engage deeply with its themes of connection, separation, and home. Read Article

Lisa McCord – Rotan Switch

Lisa McCord’s photobook “Rotan Switch” offers an immersive experience combining content, design, and emotion. The unique layout mimics a conversation, inviting readers into the life on her grandparents’ cotton farm in Rotan, Arkansas. Its unconventional structure uses large text blocks and interspersed images to tell a deeply personal story reflecting family life, labor, and racial dynamics in the Arkansas Delta. McCord’s photographs include both her own and found images, capturing moments of joy, struggle, and community in vivid detail. The book’s innovative design and compelling narrative create a dynamic dialogue between the author and reader. Read Article
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