Bringing Robert back

[jojo]

Well what a lot of comments, but not too many suggestions. The reason I aked in the first place was because the book is turning into something very lovely; I have taken 25 photographs (only 75 to go) and the variety of answers to the two questions is delightful and insightful. I am discovering so many things I didn't know about Robert. Then there are the snapshots which add another dimention and I am asking a dozen people to provide essays titled Remembering Robert. I guess that should be the title, but it's so sentimental in such a sinical age (does anyone know how I can spell check this?), the other title I had was the People's painter, but that has too many echos of the peoples princess. ANyway I'm not giving up, if it was easy everyone would be doing it.

[billy budd]

You stick with it Jojo. It's very easy to sneer, but you are at least doing something positive. I can't wait to see your play. I still think Lenkiewicz Portrayed has a certain something about it.

[kitleyboy]

How about 'Lenkiewicz Ressurection'

[Site Admin]

I don't personally think The Lenkiewicz Book Project is a particularly good title but then Dave wasn't soliciting for titles when he launched it.

It's fairly clear that there is little interest or support for the basic idea (proof being that in the three months since the idea was first mooted, only 4 people have posted opinions or suggestions on some of the more fundamental issues), so there has been little point in worrying too much about what to call it.

If there had been any indication that this 'project' was likely to go anywhere, then I would have sought suggestions for a suitable title. As it is, the RIP might as well read 'The Lenkiewicz Book Project' as anything else.

[gbl]

.....but it's so sentimental in such a sinical age

..."a cynical age" yes but this is the right forum to be on if you want cynicism (...by the bucket load)!

I think the "The Lenkiewicz Project" and "Lenkiewicz Portrayed" are both ok, but "Lenkiewicz Portrayed" might suggest the book is mainly about portaying Lenkiewicz himself, when in the book are a whole load of people who are not Lenkiewicz - but rather the 'subjects' of Lenkiewicz!

[billy budd]

I understood that the book was about Robert's relationships with his sitters, as expressed by the portraits he did, which is why the book is to consist of a series of photographs of the sitters with their portraits by him. The fact that many are being encouraged to write something about their relationship and experience of Robert seems to suggest that it's about the portrayal of Robert by his sitters than the other way round.

[WEB WEAVER]

The booklet “Reflections on the work of Robert Lenkiewicz” by Dr. Philip Stokes lists 4 future projects:

Addictive Behaviour [19];
Mental Illness [20];
Family [21];
Murder[22].

Add these to the list provided by Barbican Boy and you get the following:

Project 21: Paintings Painted Blind - On The Theme Of Tobit
Project 22: Still Lives II
Project 23: Time
Project 24: The Harrowing of Hell
Project 25: Mental illness
Project 26: Family
Project 27: Murder

So the next Project would need to be #28? Maybe someone could come up with a definitive list of future Projects that could be used to update the Lenkiewicz Book Project? 

I agree with Marlow about this being "a Jojo Project" though.

Jojo is photographing “Sitters” with their Portraits. Therefore how about:   

Robert Lenkiewicz: Sitters and Portraits 

Or alternativly

R O Lenkiewicz: Sitters and Portraits

The “Lenkiewicz photographed poorly” comment could potentially apply if ill-chosen snapshots were included? Maybe some editorial input is required in this area?

Maybe a few photographs without the Sitter or with an alternative Sitter would be poignant: “Self Portrait;”  “The Bishop;”  The late “Philip Stokes” - perhaps with his Widow Rhona?

[jojo]

Please explain what "ill chosen snapshots" mean.
All my photography (exhibitions, two books) has been about seeing what is normally hidden, and that is what is most exciting me about this one. The snapshots for the book feature Robert doing anything except painting or posing, they are often intimate moments captured by people who Robert was fond of. In his work he shied away from censorship, I feel obliged to do the same.

[Dave Elliott]

AS for a title for this book I suggest --
"ROBERT LENKIEWICZ   Are we all sitting comfortably".
This refers not only to sitting for a portrait but also how we are all sitting in a world with different views.

[WEB WEAVER]

Hi Jojo. The "snapshot" comment is about quality control of the photographs in the book. Imagine if say, David Bailey, who was at the Bearnes Auction, picked up a copy of your book. Surely the quality of the photography in the book is important? Editorial input is about giving guidance and direction, not censorship. If I was the editor I wouldn't want any snapshots included at all. If you see merit in your idea then fair enough. We will just have to agree to disagree on the matter.