Philippe Cheng Keeping ‘Still’

Philippe Cheng, a previous contributor to The Star who lives in Bridgehampton, has published a book of his art photography titled “Still: The East End Photographs.” A book signing will take place at Barnes & Noble at Broadway and 83rd Street in Manhattan on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m.

Mr. Cheng, who studied at the School of Visual Arts and New York University, spent some of his formative years working in the library of Magnum Photos, which he has said helped him develop as a photographer.

Elisabeth Biondi notes in her catalog essay his appreciation of monochromatic abstract artists such as Agnes Martin and Milton Avery, who were influences as well.

The photos are blurry and expressionistic. They sometimes take the form of barely recognizable landscapes or trees and other times look like simple arrangements of color. The gauzy presentations have a memento mori quality. They seem distant, and sometimes lost, like a fleeting memory.

The brilliant colors and light that he has isolated from the distraction of scenery remind us more clearly just what beauty we have in our midst and how it is slowly disappearing.

The book also includes a reflection by Jack Lenor Larsen of the LongHouse Reserve and an interview with Terrie Sultan, the director of the Parrish Art Museum. The book has been released by Jovis, a German publisher.

Seating is limited for the signing and is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Those with questions can contact Barnes & Noble at [email protected].