Exactitudes for sale on NAibooksellers

Inspired by interest in the striking dress codes of various social groups, Rotterdam-based photographer Ari Versluis and profiler Ellie Uyttenbroek have systematically documented numerous identities. They call their series ‘Exactitudes‘: a contraction of ‘exact’ and ‘attitude’. The 20th anniversary edition features 18 new series.

By registering their subjects in an identical framework they provide an almost scientific record of people’s attempts to distinguish themselves from others by assuming a group identity. The apparent contradiction between individuality and uniformity is taken to such extremes that the artistic aspect dominates the purely documentary element. For this twentienth anniversary edition they produced ten new series. Rotterdam’s heterogeneous street scene remains a major source of inspiration for them, although they have also visited Milan, Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Casablanca, Praia (Cabo Verde), New York, Bordeaux, London and Paris.

Photographer Ari Versluis and profiler Ellie Uyttenbroek have worked together since October 1994. Inspired by a shared interest in the striking dress codes of various social groups, they have systematically documented numerous identities over the last 20 years. Rotterdam’s heterogeneous, multicultural street scene remains a major source of inspiration for Ari Versluis and Ellie Uyttenbroek, although since 1998 they have also worked in many cities abroad.

By registering their subjects in an identical framework, with similar poses and a strictly observed dress code, Versluis and Uyttenbroek provide an almost scientific, anthropological record of people’s attempts to distinguish themselves from others by assuming a group identity. The apparent contradiction between individuality and uniformity is, however, taken to such extremes in their arresting objective-looking photographic viewpoint and stylistic analysis that the artistic aspect clearly dominates the purely documentary element.

The publisher of the book is NAi010. The English version is now for sale on NAibooksellers.