Powerhouse is set to publish Here We Are, a retrospective of the work of  Greek photographer Panos Kokkinias from 1994-2007. Having studied fine art at Yale and the School of Visual Arts he went on to exhibit worldwide, his central, wide reaching subject matter being his “personal, ongoing obsession with existential subject matter”.

The book is divided into three sections. ‘Home’ 1994-95, a period which saw him putting himself in front of the lens during troubled times. ‘Interiors’ 1995-96, unusual spaces and ghostly figures. ‘Landscapes’ 1996-2011, nature, countryside and open spaces. Finally ‘Here we are’, a study of the human condition. Concerned with all things psychological, Panos’ work goes far beyond just  his incredible skill as a photographer. Coming February 2012. Available from Amazon.

Click for images

You’d have to be under a rock (or more aptly have avoided the internet for a year or so) to be unaware of Take Ivy.

Originally published in 1965 in Japan, the book sparked a explosion of American “Ivy Style” in Tokyo. Photographer Teruyoshi Hayashida captured the spirit of 1960s student fashion with candid photographs taken in class, at the boathouse, and through the quads of Ivy League campuses. The photographer was joined in the book’s production by a trio of equally fashionable and savvy young men – Shosuke Ishizu, Toshiyuki Kuruso, and Hajime (Paul) Hasegawa. Their resulting work has gained wide recognition as the diffinitive document of the American prep style.

In September of 2010, powerHouse will issue their reprint, the first (there was a Japanese reprint in 2006) to be fully translated in English. The revival, clearly, comes at an opportune time – who can argue the current appeal of the styles contained within the books 142 pages and 145 photographs.

Pre-order now from Amazon.

A reminder of some of the great images after the jump. Credit: Take Ivy, published by powerHouse Books.

“News Art: Manipulated Photographs from the Burns Archive presents the unexplored visual history of the melding of art, photography, and journalism. It is the first work to document the fascinating combination of art and photography necessary to achieve accurate copy or story emphasis in newspapers. These images from 1900–1960 illustrate the range of art enhancement—from simple outlining or airbrushing to complete overpainting. They are all individual creations, one-of-akind photographs. Even if other newspapers used a copy of the same photograph, as was often the case, the artistic preparation was unique. The subjects are as varied as our world: crime scenes, world events, social and business personalities, and human interest stories. All were important in their time and some stand as timeless icons.”

The book is written by Stanley D. Burns, MD, a New York City opthalmic surgeon and noted photography historian, and Sara Cleary-Burns. It will release in January from Powerhouse.

Images from News Art after the jump.

Cypher finds famed rock photographer Charles Peterson tackling the world of contemporary break dancing. The book contains a series of elegant images documenting b-boy culture in Peterson’s own Seattle, as well as major events in NewYork and LA. Writing comes from Jeff Change, whose work on hip-hop really speaks foritself. He is author of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop one of the most complete histories ofhip-hop culture, and a frequent contributer to Vibe, URB and the Nation. Cypher is out soon from Power House Books. 

More images after the jump.

Whether it truly resonates with you or not, investigation of a musical and social subculture is a fascinating and rewarding journey. American documentary photographer Peter Beste may have had this in mind when he began working with Norway’s Black Metal community. Inspired by satanism, paganism, horror movies and heavy metal,Norwegian Black metal has grown over the last two decades as one of the most potent examples of teenage angst in Scandinavia. In the 1990s, members of the Black Metal sect were involved in some highly publicized violent crimes and church burnings. The resulting feeling, somewhat understandable, has made the community rather insular. All the more reason to applaud Beste effort and appreciate the unique and important nature of his output. 

True Norwegian Black Metal is out now from Powerhouse Books.

Photographer Lisa Kahane, a portrait and documentary artist, spent the years 1979-1987 snapping flicks in the Bronx. The borough was undergoing rapid change, facing a slew of negatives and formulating community based arts projects to help alleviate the stresses of transformation.

The resulting body of work has come to the fore in the form of Kahane’s soon to be released Do Not Give Way to Evil, Photographs of the South Bronx, 1979-87. Capturing the human side of urban decay, the book contains 54 black and white images and 50 color shots. The spirit of people to spark hope in a desolate landscape comes through, as the photographs trace the area over the 8 year span. 

Out soon from PowerHouse books.