Dogan Surek, Poems 526/527, DS-Documents, Germany, 2017 [ed. 50]

I've always had a soft spot for Dogan Surek's accordion works and this one does not disappoint. As the title suggests the publication is made up of 2 poems, and these are visual poems accompanied with very short texts inserted into each work, such as "real fake," "darkness," "reality check" "null and void." The clue to the thrust of the book can be found stamped on the back of the publication in the traditional place for these details and it reads "Trump Press Made in Anger." With this pointer as our guide it becomes clear that book is a response to the madman who is president of the united states at the moment. It's an oblique response with earth-like orbs moving within a dark outer space landscape coupled with assorted visual elements that contribute to creating an unsettled feeling to the landscape. The coup d'etat is provided by a series of punched holes that create letters across each page of the book that spell out "loveless." As someone who lives in the united states and voted in the last election and now has to face this monster for the next 3 years I would have to say that this singular word speaks volumes regarding the thrust of the policies and politics being generated in this desperate time in the USA.

8 pages, 5.5" (h) x 4" (w), when opened 32" (2ft 8"). Note: Dogan's website describes the media involved in the printing of this book as "linoleum and woodcut" but Printed Matter (where i purchased the book) states "lithography and woodcut."