Where order meets chaos: Vibrant photos capture the patterns of civilization

The breadth of human culture around the world may seem too wide-ranging a theme to condense into a single book, but curators William A. Ewing and Holly Roussell have made an ambitious effort to do so in “Civilization,” a new tome published by Thames & Hudson.

Through 500 photos taken by 140 photographers from around the world, they attempt to explore “the way we live now” in all its beauty, diversity and complexity.

'The funeral of Pope John Paul II broadcast live from the Vatican. Warsaw, Poland' from the series 'The Sound of Two Songs' (2005) by Mark Power/Magnum Photos —

Magnum photographer Mark Power captured the scene as hundreds mourned the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005. Their eyes are focused on massive screens broadcasting the funeral live from the Vatican.

'Muslims at prayer, Jakarta' (2007) by Ahmad Zamroni —

About 90% of Indonesia's population is Muslim. Photojournalist Ahmad Zamroni's photo of men at prayer was taken at a mosque in Jakarta, the capital.

'Mother at the Mexico-USA Border Wall' from the series 'Without Walls' (2017) by Alejandro Cartagena —

Alejandro Cartagena has set three series at the US-Mexico border. "Without Walls," the third and final chapter shot in 2017, includes "Mother at the Mexico-USA Border Wall" and "Daughter at the US-Mexico Wall," obscured portraits of family members as seen through the Tijuana-San Diego barrier.

'Humboldt University Library I Berlin' from the series 'Corridors of Power' (2014) by Luca Zanier —

Luca Zanier's "Corridors of Power" series -- which includes shots of the UN General Assembly chamber in New York, the FIFA Executive Committee Room and the Humboldt University Library in Berlin, seen here -- aims to give the public a look inside the venues where important decisions are made.

'Times Square, New York' (2004) by Robert Walker —

Robert Walker cleverly spliced photos of New York together to create composites that look entirely plausible while adding his own social commentary.

'Book Keeping of 2007 B' from the series 'My Things' (2008) by Hong Hao —

Hong Hao first started his "My Things" series in 2001 as a way of cataloging his own consumption and waste.

'Untitled' from the series 'Crowd' (2014) by Cyril Porchet —

Cyril Porchet's dynamic, painterly "Crowd" photos transform society into swarms.

'Work, Work, Work' (2012) by Wang Qingsong —

Much of Wang Qingsong's photograpy criticizes consumerism and the burden of capitalism in a humorous manner.

'Loaded Coal Train Cars, Norfolk, VA' (2011) by Alex S. MacLean —

Through aerial photos, Alex S. MacLean shows the impact of humanity on the natural world.

'DPRK -- North Korea' from the series 'Datazone' (2006) by Philippe Chancel —

Philippe Chancel's photos of North Korea offer a rare look inside the isolated country.

'Civilization' by William A. Ewing and Holly Roussell —

The book "Civilization" aims to condense how people live today into a single volume.

'Civilization' by William A. Ewing and Holly Roussell

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“Photographers are at work everywhere, looking at everything,” Todd Brandow and Bartomeu Mari write in the book’s foreword. “Why not step back and try to take in the big picture?”

Among the photos included are Benny Lam’s overhead photos of closet-size Hong Kong apartments; Adam Ferguson’s portraits of American pilots who conducted airstrikes in the Middle East; Amalia Ulman’s controversial Instagram hoax; Alejandro Cartagena’s portraits taken at the US-Mexico border wall; and Ahmad Zamroni’s dizzying photo of a packed mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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While the situations depicted are disparate, they are unified by certain themes and grouped together in chapters. In “Hive,” for example, we’re shown different stories of urban life, while “Flow” is filled with dizzying photos of roadways, architecture and other infrastructure.

"Executive Committee Zurich" from the series "Corridors of Power" (2013) by Luca Zanier

Following a more abstract theme, “Control” focuses on how nature and humanity are fixed into uniform patterns by different authorities – be it domineering governments, symmetrically inclined architects or particularly organized workplaces.

Writing in the book’s opening chapter, Ewing describes the book, and its accompanying exhibition, as “a kind of aerial survey, or rather grand satellite composite image.”

"Dongguan Mission Hills Caddies" (2011) by Andrew Rowat

“It aims to provide the reader with a wide-angled overview of how photography deals with an exceedingly complex and abstract idea – that is, civilization – and how it contributes to our understanding,” he says.

Look through the gallery for a sampling of life on Earth. “Civilization” by William A. Ewing and Holly Roussell, published by Thames & Hudson, is out now.

Top photo: “DPRK – North Korea” from the series “Datazone” (2006) by Philippe Chancel.