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Dorps : the small towns of South Africa
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Dorps : the small towns of South Africa

by Roger Ballen

This photographic study documents the architecture, interiors, and inhabitants of rural South African towns between 1982 and 1986. It captures a vanishing cultural aesthetic within these isolated communities.

Accession 7256 ISBN 9781869193942 Publisher Protea Book House
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Dorps : the small towns of South Africa spine
Dorps : the small towns of South Africa cover
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TAGS
Curated Derived
Art Change Culture Photography The Past Time
CONNECTIONS
No connections
State
on_shelf
True
position_updated_at
2026-06-15 17:19
orientation
vertical
position_confidence
1.00
Details

Physical

binding_type
Hard Back
dimensions
none captured
spine_text
none captured

Metadata

Book form
LOCATION HISTORY
G:S1:2 3 Current vertical 1.00 conf
1 week, 5 days ago Latest update
G:S1:2 3 vertical
4 weeks ago
G:S1:1 3 vertical
4 weeks ago
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Updated 10 hours, 43 minutes ago
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Last synced 2026-06-15 20:17 (7 hours, 45 minutes ago)

Identity

name→ title
Dorps : the small towns of South Africa
vernon_id
11054
accession_no→ accession_number
7256
vernon_slug
dorps-the-small-towns-of-south-africa-roger-ballen

Drives Pulse state

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On Shelf
location_name
Zone S1/Level 1/Phrontisterion/MONA
location_reason
On Shelf
isbn_issn→ isbn (when valid)
9781869193942

Descriptive

production_date
2010
object_type
Books/Document genres/Information forms/Visual and Verbal Communication
object_status
Accessioned
brief_description
Roger says he has tried to depict what he believes to be a disappearing South African aesthetic. With each year, the anonymity of the present further transforms the character of these places. 'In many ways I feel as if I have recorded the elements of a dying culture. I photographed these towns in the hope of 'freezing' time and arresting the utter extinction of the South African dorp.' --blurb

Subjects & people

authors→ author (initial fill only)
Roger Ballen
tags→ tags
Art, Arts, Contemporary Art, Art, Modern -- 21st century, Photography, Black-and-white photography, Documentary photography
subject_people
Roger Ballen (b.1950)
subject_objects
—

Cover image

vernon_cover_image_id→ cover_image
19857

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