© George Steinmetz. Courtesy Anastasia Photo. Above: Sandstone Pinnacles, Karnasai Valley, Chad, 1998.

George Steinmetz‘s new exhibition and book, Desert Air, is the first comprehensive photographic collection of the world’s “extreme deserts”, which receive less than four inches of precipitation a year.  This body of work, culled from 15 years of shooting, takes the viewer from China’s Gobi Desert to the Sahara in northern Africa to Death Valley in California.

Steinmetz photographs from a motorized paraglider which he describes as a “flying lawn chair”. Using the slowest and quietest powered aircraft in the world, he is not only able to take off and land without an airfield or government permission but is also likely to land in someone’s yard and be invited in for tea, becoming the talk of the town.

In his thirty year career, Steinmetz has been a regular contributor to National Geographic and GEO magazines and has won numerous awards including two first prizes in science and technology from World Press Photo.  Desert Air will be on view through March 3, 2013 at Anastasia Photo.

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© Antonin Kratochvil. Polluted Garden, Romania, 1995. The cover image for Kratochvil’s book, Broken Dream. This book documents the tumultuous upheaval that took place in the Communist countries of Eastern Europe.

Managing Director of the LOOK3 Festival, Andrew Owen, explains: “LOOK3 is HOME. That’s the theme this year chosen by our curators, but it also signifies what we stand for: bringing the photography community together, celebrating our heroes, and inspiring the next generation. The Festival is designed to recharge you creatively and connect you to a family of people who share a love of the photographic medium.” At the core of the LOOK3 Festival programming are the three INsight Artists—Antonin Kratochvil, Massimo Vitali, and Nan Goldin. The INsight Artist program features a special print exhibit by each artist, and 3 nights of INsight Conversations at the Paramount. These on-stage interviews provide a rare opportunity to hear a photographic legend speak candidly about influences, process, and inspirations. A hallmark of the LOOK3 Festival is the annual TREES exhibit, which in 2011 will feature George Steinmetz’s stunning aerial photographs of remote landscapes around the world. Presenting artists also include George Steinmetz, Steve McCurry, Christopher Anderson, Ashley Gilbertson, LaToya Ruby Frazier, and David Liittschwager. Look 3 will take place from June 9–June 11 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Follow PDNPulse as we bring you highlights and interviews live from the festival.

Related: LOOK3 Preview: Goldin, Kratochvil, Vitali Headline Fest Curated by Kathy Ryan and Scott Thode

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