Hirmer Verlag has published "Ode to a Cemetery," a captivating photographic exploration of Brooklyn's historic Green-Wood Cemetery by award-winning photographer and filmmaker Bethany Eden Jacobson. The book presents a meditative journey through one of America's most significant historic cemeteries, capturing its beauty and spiritual essence across all four seasons.
Green-Wood Cemetery, founded in 1838, played a pivotal role as a leader in America's Rural Cemetery movement. The cemetery spans 478 acres of magnificent grounds featuring grand architecture and world-class statuary that has attracted visitors for nearly two centuries. This historic burial ground represents a unique blend of natural beauty and artistic achievement that continues to inspire artists and visitors alike.
Jacobson's photographic work creates a moving portrait of Green-Wood Cemetery through her images of century-old trees, grand vistas, and time-worn statuary. Her cinematic approach serves as a visual meditation on life's transience and explores the vital importance of nature to the human spirit. The photographer captures the verdant, history-drenched pastoral atmosphere that makes this cemetery a remarkable cultural landmark.
The publication includes reproductions of Jacobson's unique artworks created on handmade paper, specifically inspired by the female Victorian statuary found throughout the cemetery. These artistic pieces complement the photographic content and provide an additional layer of creative interpretation. The book features poetic words by Cole Swensen that reflect on the imagery, establishing a lyrical interplay between the visual and textual elements.
"Ode to a Cemetery" is a 116-page hardcover publication measuring 27.9 × 21.6 cm (11 × 8½ inches) and contains 60 illustrations. The book includes contributions from Art Presson, Vice President of Design and Landscape at Green-Wood Cemetery, and writer Roy Skodnick. Published with ISBN 978-3-7774-4364-5, the book is available for €29.95 through Hirmer Verlag's official website at www.hirmerverlag.de.
