Riga: Neputns, 2009. 104 pages, parallel text in English and Latvian.

ISBN 978-9984-807-40-9

Information about ordering the book on the publisher's website.

Download the pdf of the book here (without illustrations). For a full, illustrated version, please see the printed book, or contact me at atifentale at gradcenter dot cuny dot edu. 

Read a review of the book, published in Studija 67, No. 4 (2009). Download a pdf of the review. 

Alnis Stakle (b. 1975) is one of the leading Latvian photographers of his generation. Self-portraits, still lifes and close-ups of the private environment, and detached views of deserted (or almost deserted landscapes - such are the characteristic motifs of Stakle's photography. Commenting on his own work, Stakle frequently emphasizes its personal character: motifs such as dreaming, introspection, and meditation are combined and reiterated.

His work certainly is personal, but that doesn't mean it's too open or intimate. Stakle utilizes material from life consciously, in order to create and develop his aesthetic system, and his work is not a public diary, a passionate struggle with demons or a flood of emotional self-revelations. Quite the contrary: Stakle's works are examples of detached and reticent observation, as if from outside or from above, and this special perspective, cleansed of all emotion, presents us an opportunity for multiple interpretations.

Works from Stakle's major series are reproduced, including Nothing Personal (1996-2006), Living Space Daugavpils (2001-2006), Place for Dreams (2001-2006), Half Life (2002), Ex[Pride] (2004-2008), and Home Sweet Home (2006-2007).