Welcome to the Photo Vault, featuring books that inspire you! Today, we’re exploring the work of one of my favorite storytellers in the form of a photo book that uses a lot of vernacular photography—Kurt Tong. Listen to this episode to gain insight into why he values these three bodies of work.

Dracula - Bram Stoker

The Haunting of Bly Manor - Mike Flanagan

Philip Pullman - His Dark Material

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In this episode, I take you to Singapore, where I attended the Singapore International Photo Festival with the Myanmar Photo Archive. During my time there, I met Roy Ng, a curator at the National Gallery Singapore. Our conversation quickly turned into a deep dive into the evolving cultural landscape of Singapore—how the city-state is positioning itself as a regional cultural hub, the complexities of representation, and the role of institutions in shaping artistic narratives. Roy shares his insights on decolonization, the challenges of curating national identity, and the global structures of art history. Join me as we explore these themes and more in a fascinating discussion about art, institutions, and cultural memory.

National Gallery
Myanmar Photo Archive
The Buddhist Archive
Rumah Abu: Death and the Photographic Medium in Straits Chinese Ancestral Halls

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@Vernacular Social Club
@Lukas Birk

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In this episode of The Photo Vault, we speak with the wonderfully insightful Chiara Capodici about her experience in the photobook world. From the "mythical times" in Europe 20 years ago to today's bookselling landscape, portfolio reviews, and photobook publishing, Chiara shares her journey and perspectives.

Chiara runs Leporello Books in Rome, Italy—a bookshop primarily devoted to photography, graphic design, architecture, and illustration. It also serves as an exhibition space focused on books and images, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to visual culture.

In addition, Chiara teaches, curates, and creates across a broad range of photography-related topics.

Find links here to people and places mentioned in the episode:

Leporello Books

Sebastian Hau

Sugarpaper

Markus Schaden & Frederic Lezmi

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@Vernacular Social Club
@Lukas Birk

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