Title of publication: South Granville
Name of artist/publisher: Old Mill Society
Website: www.artmetropole.com

I first came across this book in the Tate Modern bookshop in 2002 after attending a talk about it. I have absolutely no recollection of the talk (which I think is a good thing as the book is  totally ‘fresh’ to me). I cant remember any of the back story. I was enthralled by the object though and my friend asked me why on earth I was going to buy it as it was (in her words) ‘quite possibly the most boring book she had ever seen’. It kind of is. And I guess that is the point. Works in the book are by three Canadian photographers – Jill Ballard, Chris Gergley and Robert Linsley. It is of South Granville in Vancouver (allegedly), but the pictures are so generic and there is no text or information to tell you that (apart from the title of the book). If I was trying to be clever I would say its echoing/referencing or updating Ed Rusha , but really I think its doing something quite different. I don’t even know if all the pictures were taken in South Granville or if that area was randomly chosen to umbrella these images together (which might all be taken somewhere else). It shows the limitations of photography as a document and the skills of good editing. Its also quite funny in parts as peoples houses and gardens are strangely idiosyncratic and odd.  Many times it has nearly been recycled in the many book edits I regularly do… but somehow it slips its way back on the shelf.

Susan Bright – is a curator and writer. She has taught extensively and convened major conferences and seminars internationally.