Masayoshi Hanawa, Monster 2, Le Dernier Cri, Marseilles, France, 2020, ed. 150

Continuing my inquiry into books with folds, here's another great folded book from Le Dernier Cri. Masayoshi Hanawa is a Japanese artist who has become known for his ongoing series of monsters in both print and 3 dimensions. Some of the spreads from this silkscreen book come close to that of accordion books, but either way with images as powerful and compelling as these formal details seem to fade away!

8 double-side pages, individual pages 11.75" x 8.5". center spread 2' 10".

back cover

R. Clarke-Davis, a commonplace book: icarus (2023) & a commonplace book: tidying (2010-2023), Kiddie Viddy Press, Wi

Two new accordions by R. Clarke-Davis with the first one a very visual representation of the tale of Icarus who perished by flying too close to the sun with his waxen wings. Clicking on the images enlarges them significantly and allows for the subtlety of the photographs to be appreciated.

The second book 'tidying' which is in Clarke-Davis' puzzle book format that includes two folded wings that add an extra dimension to the accordion and another element in his play with the book's images. 'Tidying' appears to be a meditation on everyday objects found within his domestic environment with one photograph showing a pile of his artists' books and the materials & instruments used in their making. In two of the final photographs I have opened up the book to reveal its architecture as well as revealing the cut in the middle of the paper that creates this unique format.

There's a large body of accordion works by Clarke-Davis in this blog and with a quick search you can discover them for yourself!

a commonplace book: icarus (2023) 

12 one-sided pages, individually 4.5" x 5.25, and fully opened 5' 3"

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a commonplace book: tidying (2010-2023)

back cover

8 double-sided pages, plus 4 pages in the flaps, individually 5.5" x 4.25, 

and fully opened 2' 10"

Barbara Cesery & Marilyn Zuckerman, Monday Morning Movie, Street Editions, New York City, 1981

An interesting collaboration between visual artist (Cesary), and poet (Zuckerman) that explores a range of notions intertwined within the idea of romantic love. They illustrate this theme through poems dedicated to well known movie stars and actresses, such as Billie Holiday, Mae West, Marilyn Monroe, Jane Fonda and James Cagney to name but a few. Cesary's images that accompany the poems would appear to be images taken from family albums and they embody another kind of love and intimacy that is found within the family unit. 

The image (above) of the three young women at the beginning of the accordion for me sets the emotional tone of the book as one based in the yearnings and desires of young women such as these three. This book, through its combination of words and images, illustrates the pangs of love & romance of late adolescence as well as all the difficulties & disappointments and the beauty, of this early period of their lives.

54 double-sided pages, individually 6" X 8" and when fully open 13' 6".

reverse side

back cover