Exclusive to Setanta Books: Signed by Maria Svarbova to a specially printed bookplate.

Swimming Pools by Maria Svarbova. First edition (2021). First impression. Large format hardback in fine condition. Signed by Maria Svarbova to a specially printed bookplate laid in to title page. Please note the book is new and unread, however, there is a slight bump to bottom corner of from cover. No other markings.

About Swimming Pools by Maria Svarbova

In the Swimming Pool is Maria's largest concept yet, initially originating in 2014 and continuing to develop to date. So, sparked by a hunt for interesting location, her fascination with the space of public swimming pools contributed to developing her visual style.

Sterile, geometric beauty of old pools set the tone for these photographs. Each of them pictures a different pool, usually built in the Socialist Era, in various locations in Slovakia.

There is also almost cinematographic quality to the highly controlled sceneries that Maria captures. The figures are mid-movement, but there is no joyful playfulness to them. Frozen in the composition, the swimmers are as smooth and also cold as the pools tiles. The colours then softly vibrate in a dream-like atmosphere.

Despite the retro setting, the pictures in Swimming Pools by Maria Svarbova somehow evoke a futuristic feeling as well, as if they were taken somewhere completely alien. There is no disturbing emotion, there is no individuality in their stillness. The artificial detachment, created by Maria's visual vision, allows unique visual pleasure, unattainable in real life.