If you’re in or near London over the weekend, you must pop down to the Old Truman Brewery, just off of Brick Lane, to see Bookzilla: the largest photobook in the world. This thing is monstrous and marvellous: it measures 20 feet by almost 14 feet, which puts it at about the same size as a double decker bus, and it features the most glorious, radiant selection of photos from all over the world.
Earlier this summer Photobox launched a competition to go around the world in 80 days using pictures. Over 30,000 entries were received, and every single country was represented in an image. These 30,000 photos were narrowed down to 300, which are those that appear in Bookzilla. Of those 300, six over all winners, one image from each continent (but not Antarctica), were selected.
North America winner: A Piece of Land to Call Home, by Bob Brewer
Apart from getting to look at gorgeous pictures, I don’t envy the judging panel one bit. The photos featured portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and architecture and as Annabel Williams, one of the judging panel said, the standard was extremely high. The winners get to go on the holiday of a lifetime as their reward. Not bad at all!
Pop down and be amazed. Bookzilla’s almost three times taller than me and filled with captivating pictures. If you can’t make it, though, you can see the 300 shortlisted pictures here.
Around the World in 80 Days runs from Friday 15 to Monday 18 October 2010 at the Old Truman Brewery, Hanbury Street, London.