Stephen Gill, A Series of Disappointments, Nobody and the Archive of Modern Conflict, UK, 2008, ed. 3000 [3 different covers]

I'm going to let this Brit artist who became interested in photography in early childhood because of his father's fascination with insects, explain what this humorous and quietly philosophical book is all about and how to exhibit it.

"These betting slips were discarded in and around many betting shops (71 at the time of publication) in the borough of Hackney in north-east London. The average number of betting shops in other London boroughs is 23.

Each of these papers began as hope, were shaped by loss or defeat, then cast aside. These new forms perhaps now possess a state of mind, shaped by nervous tension and grief.

After these images were made, little autopsies were performed on the papers to reveal the failed bets held within.

If betting shops move into places previously occupied by banks or solicitors, they are classed as financial services and dont have to apply for any special permit. In such numbers, they are beginning to feel like a burden around a borough that is trying to improve itself and the lives of its residents, and to shake off its bad reputation.

To exhibit this book, remove the book block from the outer cover, expand the pages and hang from nails or small hooks using the holes provided."

36 single-sided pages, individually 11.75" x 9", and fully opened 27ft.

back cover (one of 3 different ones)

Picasso Gaglione, A Bag Accordian Book, Knoxville, 2022

Another in the wild series of accordions that Knoxville-based mail artist and dadaist Picasso Gaglione has sent me over the last year or so.  A quick search of this blog will reveal 9 other accordions he's created using all sorts of different and readily available media. This work was created within a similar aesthetic and the simplest of materials — in this case a rubber stamp and a small thin brown paper bag!

4 pages, individually 3" x 2.5" and when fully open 10".

Antonio Ferrara, Ventiquattromila baci (Twenty four thousand kisses), Settenove edizioni, Cagli, Italy, 2021

Ferrara is an Italian writer, poet and illustrator and the winner of the 2015 Andersen Prize for another accordion book titled I Am Like This. This humorous accordion depicts kisses being exchanged by a host of different people and even animals! I particularly like how Ferrara has used the fold of the page as the crucial element that briefly separates the kissers as they are about to begin this amorous act.

22 double-side pages, individual pages 7.75" x 4.75", and when open 8ft 10.5".

reverse side

back cover