Richard Misrach: Destroy this memory

The photographs by Richard Misrach assembled in this volume are a stark, affecting reminders of the physical and psychological impact of Hurricane Katrina as told by those on the ground, and seen through the lens of a contemporary master. Rather than simply surveying the damage, Misrach-who has photographed the region regularly since the 1970s, most notably for his ongoing "Cancer Alley" project-found himself drawn to the hurricane-inspired graffiti.

Destroy This Memory presents previously unpublished and starkly compelling material, all of which Misrach shot with his 4 MP pocket camera while also working on a separate archive of over 1,000 photographs with his 8 x 10 large-format camera. Created between October and December 2005, this series of images serves as a potent, unalloyed document of the raw experiences of those left to fend for themselves in the aftermath of Katrina. With no essay, titles or even page numbers in the way, the words on these homes, cars and trees offer a searing testament that continues to speak volumes.

Richard Misrach

Aperture, 2010

38.6 X 30 cm, 140 pages