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Published in conjunction with the exhibition series at The Walther Collection in New York and Neu-Ulm, Germany, this catalogue stages for the first time a dialogue between the ethnographic visions of late-nineteenth/early-twentieth century African photography and the works of contemporary artists engaging with the archive. Distance and Desire offers new perspectives on the African archive, reimagining its diverse histories and changing meanings.Presenting an extraordinary range of portraits, albums, postcards, cartes de visite, and books from Southern Africa, Distance and Desire investigates typical representations of African subjects -- the warrior, the mother and child, the semi-nude woman, the "tribal" chief -- while also revealing lesser-known portraits of distinguished chiefs, political figures, and an emerging middle class. In twelve original essays, the catalogue investigates the politics of colonialism inherent in historical African imagery, critically addressing the issues of gender, race, and identity.Distance and Desire also reveals how the African archive figures in the practices of contemporary African artists, whose compelling photography and video reworks the archive through satire or appropriation. Together, these images allow for an examination of early visual culture in Africa and demonstrate the wealth and complexity of photographic history on the continent.Co-published by The Walther Collection and Steidl.Edited by Tamar Garb. Featuring an interview with Artur Walther and essays by Awam Amkpa, Jennifer Bajorek, Elizabeth Edwards, Cheryl Finley, Christraud Geary, Michael Godby, Erin Haney, Hlonipha Mokoena, Gabi Ngcobo, Chika Okeke-Agulu, Carla Williams, and Deborah Willis.Source : le site de la Collection Walther. 