Underworlds
A compelling journey through subterranean realms, real and imagined
Published on 28. September 2023
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-0-500-02631-1 (ISBN)
Description
A darkly evocative compendium of images exploring natural, constructed, imaginary and subconscious underworlds, curated by renowned image collector and social media figure Stephen Ellcock.
From the burrows and secret bunkers beneath our feet to imagined hellscapes and surrealist dreamscapes, the disquieting, alarming and wonderful visuals span natural and constructed subterranea and imagined and subconscious worlds. A personal introduction by Stephen together with contextual chapter introductions establish the key themes, while supplementary texts elucidate essential concepts, historical events and figures. Thought-provoking literary, philosophical and spiritual quotations punctuate the intriguing images.
Together, the images and authoritative text highlight the interplay between the real and the imagined, revealing how the real has fed our fears and hopes and informed our imagination - and conversely, how our imagination has depicted the esoteric, the abject and the unknown.
From the burrows and secret bunkers beneath our feet to imagined hellscapes and surrealist dreamscapes, the disquieting, alarming and wonderful visuals span natural and constructed subterranea and imagined and subconscious worlds. A personal introduction by Stephen together with contextual chapter introductions establish the key themes, while supplementary texts elucidate essential concepts, historical events and figures. Thought-provoking literary, philosophical and spiritual quotations punctuate the intriguing images.
Together, the images and authoritative text highlight the interplay between the real and the imagined, revealing how the real has fed our fears and hopes and informed our imagination - and conversely, how our imagination has depicted the esoteric, the abject and the unknown.
Reviews / Votes
'A creative compendium of underworldly delights ... From Peter Paul Rubens, via 20th-century surrealists such as Rene Magritte, to contemporary painters including Kara Walker, Ellcock gathers together the painters, poets, divers and archaeologists daring us to look beyond the surface at what lies beneath' - Financial TimesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
246 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 167 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
688 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-500-02631-1 (9780500026311)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Stephen Ellcock is a collector and renowned curator whose online 'Cabinet of Curiosities' - an ever-expanding, virtual museum of art that is open to all via social media - has so far attracted more than 600,000 Instagram and Facebook followers from around the world. He is also the author of The Cosmic Dance, All Good Things, The Book of Change, England On Fire, with text by Mat Osman, and Jeux de Mains, a collaboration with Cecile Poimboeuf-Koizumi.
Content
Preface: What Lies Beneath
Introduction
1. Beneath the surface
2. Human Habitation & Exploitation
3. Underwater Worlds
4. Imagined Underground Worlds
5. Subliminal Realms
Coda: Resurrection, Resurfacing
Introduction
1. Beneath the surface
2. Human Habitation & Exploitation
3. Underwater Worlds
4. Imagined Underground Worlds
5. Subliminal Realms
Coda: Resurrection, Resurfacing