Curation, art direction, design, and production for photographer Jimmy Nelson's Homage to Humanity crafting a 528-page coffee table book that celebrates cultural diversity.
Jimmy Nelson is a renowned photographer known for his powerful images capturing the lives and cultures of indigenous communities around the world. His work aims to celebrate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of these communities, bringing their stories to a global audience.
Following the success of his previous work, "Before They Pass Away," the Jimmy Nelson Studio aimed to create a sequel that not only matched but surpassed the impact of his earlier project. The challenge was to design a book that would offer an immersive and intimate portrayal of indigenous cultures, blending stunning visuals with compelling storytelling in a way that was fresh and innovative.
We developed "Homage to Humanity," a 528-page opus that seamlessly blends Jimmy Nelson's signature imagery with immersive storytelling, collages, and intimate interviews. The book was first published with Rizzoli in 2018 and later republished under JN Publishing.
The aim was to create a timeless, engaging, and interactive experience for readers. The minimal typography design, balancing classic and modern elements, ensured a timeless aesthetic. Collaborating with a tattoo artist, we incorporated beautiful illustrations into travel maps. Each chapter was curated to be a complete adventure, with journeys presented non-chronologically to allow for a unique experience whether reading from start to finish or browsing randomly. The chapters combined photography, community background information, and eclectic collages, which I hand-crafted, documenting Nelson's travels.
In collaboration with Amsterdam's app design studio FONK, we created an app that allowed readers to scan images for behind-the-scenes footage, videos, audio, and more. We also developed a set of VR glasses for a virtual reality experience, enabling readers to virtually travel to the communities featured in the book. This interactive photography book served as a catalyst for numerous exhibitions and became a significant part of Jimmy Nelson's archival work.
Credits:
Artist: Jimmy Nelson
Art Direction & Curation: Larissa Rosvaenge
Project Management: Coco Box
Design: Larissa Rosvaenge //Yvy Bakker
Illustrations: Martin Scheerpenzel
Film Footage: Bram Vis // Stephanie van der Wiel
Film Editing: Bob van Helden
PR: Marit de Hoog
Post-production: Edwin Veer // André Beuving
Text Editor: Steve Green
APP Development: FONK