I Fought the Law: Photographs by Olivia Locher of the Strangest Laws from Each of the 50 States

by Olivia Locher (Photographer), Kenneth Goldsmith (Foreword by)

Overview

Strange, outdated laws from each of the 50 U.S. states—some overturned, some still on the books, and some merely the stuff of legends—are depicted with sly wit by Olivia Locher. Incisive, ironic, and gorgeous, these images will appeal to art buffs and trivia fans alike. A foreword from American poet Kenneth Goldsmith and an interview with the artist by Eric Shiner, former director of the Andy Warhol Museum, contextualize rising-star Locher's photography. From serving wine in teacups in Kansas to licking a toad in Kentucky or perming a child's hair in Nebraska, breaking the law has never looked so good.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452158181
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	09/05/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

Olivia Locher is a New York City–based fine art photographer.
Kenneth Goldsmith is a poet living in New York City.
Eric Shiner is senior vice president of Sotheby’s fine art division.

Editorial Reviews

10/09/2017
Locher’s playful book offers visual interpretations of the quirky laws that exist (or are rumored to) in America’s 50 states. Inspired by a friend’s conversational non sequitur about laws during a photo shoot, Locher became interested in the visual possibilities of state legislation. Enlisting the help of friends and models, Locher staged and photographed enactments of laws ranging from absurd (“In Alabama, it is illegal to have an ice cream cone in your back pocket at all times”), commonsensical (“In New Mexico, defacing rocks is a crime”), and just plain random (“In North Dakota, it is illegal to fall asleep with shoes on in bed”). Her photos are deceptively simple; most are shot indoors against single-color backdrops. She makes use of brightly colored props, clothing, and even body paint, helping to make the images pop. Small details add another layer of humor, as with the visualization of Nevada’s law banning the depiction of an American flag on a bar of soap, which includes a few strands of hair on a pink bar of soap with a toothpick-size American flag. Funny and a pleasure to peruse, Locher’s book works both as fun novelty book and a provocative photo essay. Color photos. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Takes civil disobedience to a minute level with bright colors and a clear sense of humor, while also demonstrating the sometimes perplexing reach of government.” —Daily Beast

“A colorful and humorous look at the changing legal landscape of the United States over the past century.” —Buzzfeed

“Locher illustrates puzzling, outdated and in some cases merely legendary laws from across America, a clever and often humorous look at legal history and ‘the letter of the law.’ … With its blend of fact and fiction, Locher’s concept feels of-the-moment, and her aesthetics do too.” —Los Angeles Times

“Locher’s work makes a blithe and cheery first impression but takes a subversive turn upon closer inspection.” —Vogue

“Olivia Locher is a young photographer who has garnered a huge following for her work on social media, and her photos have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, W, Glamour, to name a few. With this project, she has demonstrated a talent for blurring the murky lines between the personal and the political, in a visually stunning combination. Her point is that there is no point to many of these laws, and that the legal system and our established social conventions should always be up for debate. The law professes to be definite, hard and unwavering, even when it is wrong. Locher’s photos are the exact opposite of that, drawing attention to the contrived nature of the legal system through art.” —Bust

“Supremely fun and surreal.” —Fast Company

From the Publisher