Wolfgang Tillmans

Over the period of more than two decades, Wolfgang Tillmans has explored the medium of photo-imaging with greater range than any other artist of his generation. From snapshots of his friends to abstract images made in a darkroom without a camera or works made with a photocopier, he has pushed the photographic process to its outer limits in myriad ways. For this collection of photos, his fourth book with TASCHEN, Tillmans turned away from the self-reflexive exploration of the photography medium that had occupied him for several years by focusing his lens on the outside world-from London and Nottingham to Tierra del Fuego, Tasmania, Saudi Arabia, and Papua New Guinea. He describes this new phase simply as "trying out what the camera can do for me, what I can do for it." The result is a powerful and singular view of life today in diverse parts of the world, seen from many angles. Says Tillmans, "My travels are aimless as such, not looking for predetermined results, but hoping to find subject matter that in some way or other speaks about the time I'm in." The book features a fascinating conversation between the artist and Beatrix Ruf, director of Kunsthalle Zurich.

Known since the early 1990s for his photographs of young people in their social environment - clubs, gay pride parades, warehouse parties - Wolfgang Tillmans created an enigmatic, sexy and highly innovative photography while inventing new icons of beauty and style for gallery goers and magazine readers alike. This book is an updated and expanded edition of his 2002 monograph, featuring a new survey on his work from the past ten years and new artist's writings.

Wolfgang Tillmans has explored the medium of photo-imaging with greater range than any other artist of his generation. From early portraits of his friends to abstract images made in a darkroom without a camera or works made with a photocopier, he has pushed the photographic process to its outer limits in myriad ways. For this collection of photos, his fifth book with TASCHEN, Tillmans edited his previous four books into one stream of intersecting perspectives on life around the turn of the millenium. Keeping his original layouts intact, he added some new works, bringing the scope of the publication to the present day.

A substantial and immersive artist's book summarizing Wolfgang Tillmans' multifaceted approach to image-making, from video and performance to music and activism Conceived and designed by German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans (born 1968), this richly illustrated artist's book explores the latest developments in Tillmans' work over the last three years. Today Is The First Day conveys his richly diverse approach to image-making, video, performance, music and political activities, and also features newly commissioned texts from contributors--including novelist and author of The Lonely City Olivia Laing, historian and essayist Brian Dillon, curator Catherine Wood and geologist Dr David Chew--each of whom illuminate a different aspect of Tillmans's work. The book includes over 30 pages featuring his set design for the English National Opera's production of War Requiem; recent portraits such as his now iconic image of Frank Ocean; and detailed installation views that allow us to see in-depth Tillmans' imaginative approach to exhibition installation.

This volume offers a panoramic collection of interviews and writings from an artist for whom language has always been a significant means of creative expression. Arranged chronologically, the assembled texts reflect Tillmans’ thinking on photography, music, politics, nightlife, astronomy, spirituality and activism. The sources are as varied as their content, with statements and conversations that originally appeared in exhibition catalogues rubbing up against social-media posts and song lyrics. Whether discussing his own work as a photographer or drawing out the thoughts of others, Tillmans is a generous interlocutor with a refreshing clarity of thought. This visually rich and timely publication tracks Tillmans’ contributions to art and cultural criticism in tandem with the social and cultural shifts of the past 30 years.