Stephen Hilger: In the Alley

Stephen Hilgers' In the Alley is a subversive portrait of Beverly Hills that depicts the physical and symbolic spaces behind the homes of the wealthy residents. It features 22 panoramic photographs in a leporello-folded format, an essay by Matthew Specktor, and a conversation between Hilger and photographer James Welling.

Format: Hardback
Length: 66 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2023
Publisher: Purple Martin Press

This leporello publication showcases Brooklyn-based photographer Stephen Hilgers (born 1975) captivating color photographs of service alleys and the backside of houses that serve as a barrier between the public and the private in the affluent suburb of Beverly Hills, California. By capturing the physical and symbolic spaces behind the homes of the affluent residents, Hilgers offers a more unconventional perspective on the place. Eva Díaz has noted that Hilgers emphasis suggests that "Beverly Hills is actually two cities, a 'front city of impeccably maintained homes and a 'back city that covertly services the front illusion." Hilger's photographs encompass a range of elements, including graffiti, security signage, overflowing garbage cans, unappealing car parks, and overgrown vegetation. He also documented the maintenance staff who work nearby and the alleys' most distinctive feature, narrow, high walls that signify a claustrophobic rejection of inspection.

In the Alley features 22 panoramic photographs presented in a leporello-folded format, allowing readers to leaf through the photographs or expand the book-object for display. An essay by novelist Matthew Specktor delves into the significance of Hilgers alley views in the context of personal histories and Hollywood stories. In a conversation, Hilger and photographer James Welling discuss their respective practices and approaches to capturing these unique perspectives.

Dimension: 178 x 254 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780979776854