Levinthal, David

Hitler Moves East: Artist's Cut.

New York, JMc & GHB Editions. 2008. 44pp. with 70 color illus.; 4to.; staple bound in illustrated wrappers.

$25.00

This forty-four page, paper bound book features reproductions of original photographs produced for the project of 1977, Hitler Moves East; A Graphic Chronicle, 1941-1943, as well as illustrations from the original research source materials used. The original publication was a “staged” photo documentary on the movement of Hitler’s Sixth Army into the USSR during WWII. Using model soldiers and military equipment, creators David Levinthal and Garry Trudeau set out to make a visual narrative rich in historic reference and illusionary detail, effectively emulating war photo-documentary techniques and subverting their authority as samples of veracity. Against the backdrop of the Nixon administration’s rosy Vietnam progress reports, Levinthals work raised the possibility that even photographs can be staged to tell a desired story, and reporting can be twisted to tell a partial truth, or outright falsity.Twenty years later the work seems all the more relevant.  Featuring works not included in the original publication, Artist’s Cut represents an artistic reworking by the photographer of the seminal themes which made the original publication a cultural touchstone. A deluxe edition of this title will also be made available and will include an original piece of artwork.