From a tender age, Israeli autodidact Dudi Hasson was "addicted" to the lens, beginning his photographic expedition at just 16. 'As Far As Close' is more than a book; it's a chronicle of his lifelong passion.
Dudi's work gracefully explores the boundaries between intimacy and alienation, delving deep into the intricate dance of relationships – whether it's between the camera and the subject, the subjects themselves, or the intimate conversation between Dudi and his camera.
Inspired by the raw emotions that people and places evoke within him, Hasson is gifted in capturing those ephemeral in-between moments. Those instances suspended between love and hate, joy and sorrow, truth and deception. This collection is a testament to that gift, featuring handpicked portraits from various times and places, beautifully forming a mosaic that embodies his unique aesthetic and viewpoint.
Complementing Dudi's imagery, renowned Israeli poet Noam Noy adds depth with a poignant Hebrew poem, which is also presented with an English translation, allowing readers across the globe to immerse themselves in this collaborative artistic expression.
This anthology is not merely a collection of photographs but a personal diary, a mirror to Dudi's identity, echoing a passion he has harbored since his early years. With field experience as his mentor, he stands as proof that the conventional path of academic learning isn't the sole route to brilliance. In Dudi's words, the ‘bliss of ignorance’ grants him a unique liberty – the freedom to create without boundaries or historical burdens.
Embracing the spontaneity of his shoots, Hasson finds beauty in the unplanned, cherishing those unexpected moments that can't be orchestrated. "This act of looking at my subjects through a lens and trying to capture a certain je ne sais quoi about them, something that transcends language, planning, or taste, is deeply moving for me."
'As Far As Close' invites readers on a journey. An intimate exploration into the realm of a self-taught genius who finds wonder in unpredictability and poetry in the everyday.
Available in a first edition of 700 copies, with a special edition of 25 copies that are numbered, presented in a paperboard slipcase, screen printed in green, and paired with an original print, signed by Dudi Hasson himself.
