Bea Nettles, The Fig Leaf, Urbana, Illinois, 2010, ed. 17

A spunky and humorous little accordion booklet exploring the history of the fig leaf, the idea for which arose when Nettles spent time in Italy and "...became curious about the use of the fig leaf...". This playful accordion is the result, although I frankly don't know how to read the final image but the suggestion seems to be that someone has been nibbling at forbidden fruit! 

Along the bottom of the images is the following text: "The fig leaves that we see on Greek and Roman torsos were added to them after the Council of Trent and a 1557 edict from Pope Paul IV. Having been firmly attached to these existing sculptures, they continue to cling to them to this very day."

8 pages 3.75" x 2.5", opened 1ft 8"

Bea Nettles, 14 Mysteries, Urbana, Illinois, 2012. [open edition]

This is just a gem of an artists' book, and integral to the work is its accordion format. Underneath the 14 keys and for the whole length of the work is the following text, "These keys were found in a cluster when we moved here in 1984. Their purposes have long been forgotten. After twenty-two years they hang on a hook in the basement. One never knows when their role in our house will be revealed." 

14 pages at 3.5" x 1.5" and opened 1' 9"