Unnatural Histories...

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on November 18, 2012 at 3:33pm

Curator’s Comment:  

 

Unnatural Histories is a pertinent if not poignant title for this artist’s book.  Hardcover books traditionally denote neutrality and authority in terms of transmitted information, as the assumption is the material inside has been vetted and proven before being committed to a bound volume. Compositionally, I really like the sculptural interface between the printed textual elements, and the manipulation and folding of the imagery in a classic book construction. It’s beautifully crafted, and maintains a strong dynamic between interior and exterior space; flat image and three-dimensional object. The cool blue interior is suited for “Seaside Stories”, and the restful feel of the text page is countered by the protruding peaks of the adjacent (tidal) waves. The narrative is personal here, also well-matched to the intimacy of a hand held book.  But other volumes, in addressing environmental issues such as ocean warming and dissolution of coral reefs visually ring a warning bell. I personally want to believe these objects and images function as optimistic advocates for more compassionate and attentive environmental stewardship.  But their stoic presence is less swaying or emotional than a beacon of truth. And, much like most of our history books, its factual record when it’s written and little can be done to affect its past.