Factory valleys

the long version

In 1979, Friedlander was commissioned by the Akron Art Museum to document the industrial area of the Ohio River Valley. Over the course of the following year, he travelled in Ohio and Pennsylvania, photographing the towns cities, factories, and workers. The result is not only a stunning reportage of the industrial heartland of America, but also an insightful portrait of the contemporary American social landscape, seen with Friedlander's unique blend of formal brilliance, elliptical wit, and acute perception. -- publisher's statement.