Zaido by Yukari Chikura. Published by Steidl.
After following a succession of personal tragedies, Yukari Chikura photographed the 1,300-year-old Japanese ritual, "Zaido". Walking through the snow, where days can reach a severe -20°C., Chikura’s images are of a strange and mysterious landscape encompassing a range of subtlety between light and illusion.
Steidl has designed a book that perfectly complements this stunning body of work. Opening from a slipcase to reveal a brilliant peacock-blue linen cover, we are taken on a journey through her photographs, printed on luminous silvery papers. Included is a separate Folk Tale booklet, map and a hand-made fortune by Chikura, wishing each person good health and happiness. Brilliant.
Honorable Mentions:
Growing Up Travelling by Jamie Johnson
The White House China by Kathleen Y. Clark
Elizabeth Avedon has a rich history in photography collaborating with museums, galleries and artists, and has received recognition for her curatorial work, exhibition design and publishing projects, including the retrospective, Avedon: 1949–1979 for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Avedon: In the American West for the Amon Carter Museum and Corcoran Gallery, among others. She's worked with the Menil Collection, the Estate of Diane Arbus and is a former Director of photo-eye Gallery. Elizabeth received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Griffin Museum of Photography.