M.S. Bastian and Isabelle L., Bastokalypse, Scheidegger & Spiess, Zurich, Switzerland, 2010

This accordion is an absolutely wild 63-page ride into the apocalypse and beyond, created collaboratively by this long-standing graphic design duo and merchants of the dark arts based in Biel, Switzerland.

This graphzine's wide range of images were inspired by "...medieval Tuscan mosaics, renaissance panels, baroque engravings, Meiji-era Japanese prints, and contemporary graphic novels." [publisher's statement] The artists have successfully fused all these influences, and many others, into a free flowing narrative of despair, and desperation that sweeps the reader along and into the maelstrom of the apocalypse.

Both the artists were influenced by pulp fiction and comic books with an emphasis on the underground and alternative traditions. Particular artists who influenced them were people such as Gary Panter, Mark Beyer, Art Spiegelman and David Sandlin amongst others, as well as the larger French and American comic traditions. The influence of these artists is clearly evident in this major work. 

The essay on the back by Konrad Tobler really illuminates some of the themes of Bastokalypse as well as the larger historical contexts in which they originated. Each section is accompanied with images that illustrate Tobler's history.

63 double-sided pages, individually 10.25" x 8", and unfolded 42ft.

For another of Bastian and Isabelle's accordions on this blog see: accordion publications: M. S. Bastian and Isabelle L., Pulpa Geddon, Le Dernier Cri, Marseille, 2026, ed. 140

reverse side with  Konrad Tobler's essay

back cover

David Hockney, David Hockney: A Year in Normandie, Museum Würth, Künzelsan, Germany, 2023

front cover

Accompanied by a 30 page introduction which includes Hockney's own words and snippets from interviews, this cool accordion catalogue reproduces in 17.8 metres (53ft 10") the 220 iPad paintings that Hockney created between 2020-2021 from his house in the middle of a field in Normandy. The works in the exhibition were presented as one long continuous scroll and it invited the viewer to experience the very different way of seeing embedded in the long narrative sequences of the scroll format and their lack of one-point perspective.

In the introductory essay Hockney relates how he had been smitten with the scroll format upon being shown one that was 30 metres long in 1983 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, that illustrated the Emperor of China inspecting the canal between Wuxi and Suzhou. Hockney described this experience as "...one of the most exciting days of my life," further remarking that "In Chinese scrolls, you walked through the landscape - it was not a window, looking out; you were in it."

Hockney's scroll documents one year in Normandie and he particularly chose this location because of the different types of blossoms in the landscape with his own property hosting apple, pear, cherry and plum trees. 

Accompanying this accordion is a slim catalogue titled "David Hockney and the Würth Collection" and it documents the museum's relationship with Hockney and is illustrated his works in their collection along with an examination of his working methods.

David Hockney was born in Bradford in 1937 and died in 2026 in London, UK.

68 single-sided pages, individually 7" x 9.5, and when unfolded 53ft 10" (17.8 metres)

the two catalogues

back cover

R. Clarke-Davis, a commonplace book: hiatus, kiddie viddy press, 2026

     

A rather interesting 3-in-one accordion from this long time contributor to this blog. As you can see from the photos above Clarke-Davis has constructed a binding structure that incorporates three accordions. The 'hiatus' of the title would seem to be illustrated by the themes of the three accordions with their concentration on nature's landscape, as well as the more intimate domestic landscape, all set within a snowy wintery landscape. No people, but the detritus of lives lived. 

10 single-sided pages, individually 4.25" x 6", and when opened 5ft 

cover

detail

detail

detail

back cover

Emily Sutton, Tin Toys (2 greeting cards), Art Angels Publishing, Norwich, UK

Two delightful and whimsical accordion gift cards with cut-out images from popular culture and the circus, amongst other things!

4 single-side pages, individually 6.5" x 5.5", and when fully opened 22".

reverse side

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4 single-side pages, individually 6.5" x 5.5", and when opened 22".

reverse side

Anonymous, Folded Greeting Card, UK, nd

 

Just couldn't resist this accordion folded greeting card with six cut-out pigeons. 

6 single-sided pages, individually 6" x 4" and when fully opened 2ft wide.

reverse side

Rodger Binyone, Syzygy Manoeuvres, NO-Man Press No 22, Philadelphia, 2025, ed. 300

front cover

This is a beautifully designed and printed risograph accordion that depicts a fantastical & dystopian world that seems to be in the process of being taken over by malign entities. This publication is just one issue in Binyone's NO-Man Press continuing series which features his work as he explores a wide variety of visual and thematic concerns. 

Based in Philadelphia Rodger Binyone is an artist and illustrator who has exhibited throughout the Philadelphia area and also has work included in the Museum of Modern Art, Library Collection, New York.

7 double-sided pages, individually 8" x 5.5", and when fully opened 3ft 3.5".

reverse side

back cover