Dennis Hopper: In Dreams: Scenes from the Archive

In Dreams. Scenes from the Archive explores Dennis Hopper's life through photography, connecting his roles as an actor, husband, father, and photographer. The book focuses on Hopper's photographic output in the 1960s, during a period when his film career had cooled off, and includes appearances by famous faces intertwined with his peripatetic life and everyday use of the camera. Hopper was a famous insider and outsider, allowing him to view the world in his unique way.

Format: Hardback
Length: 132 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2019
Publisher: Damiani

In his captivating book titled "In Dreams. Scenes from the Archive," Dennis Hopper takes us on a profound journey through the lens of his photography, unveiling the intricate threads that weave together his remarkable life as an artist, actor, husband, father, and photographer. By carefully tracing the connections between these various roles, "In Dreams" offers a deeper understanding of Hopper's personal vision and artistic expression.

Rather than relying on Hopper's iconic standalone images, this book seeks to distill the vast archive into a cohesive collection of photographs that offer fresh perspectives and captivating stories. As the reader immerses themselves in this visual narrative, themes emerge, visual rhymes are formed, and characters come and go, inviting us along for the journey.

During the 1960s, a period when Hopper's film career had taken a temporary hiatus, his photographic output became particularly concentrated. The Nikon camera that his wife, Brooke Hayward, gifted him hung prominently around his neck, earning him the affectionate nickname of "the tourist." While "In Dreams," which pays homage to Roy Orbison's song of the same name made famous in the film "Blue Velvet," features appearances by renowned figures, they are intricately intertwined with Hopper's itinerant life and his everyday use of the camera.

Hopper possessed a unique blend of insider status, effortlessly mingling with celebrities and artists of his era. However, this new conversation with his archive reveals a fascinating aspect of Hopper's personality: he was also distinctly an outsider. While famous in his own right, he possessed an observational perspective that allowed him to view the world in his distinct manner. It is this intriguing duality that sets Hopper apart, making him a true visionary in the world of photography.

Through "In Dreams. Scenes from the Archive," Hopper invites us to explore his life and work through the prism of his photographs, providing a glimpse into the inner workings of his creative mind. This book serves as a testament to his enduring legacy as an artist and a testament to the power of visual storytelling.

Weight: 810g
Dimension: 240 x 210 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788862086431