Collection Sandwich #3, Le Dernier Cri, France, 1997

I was recently lucky enough to find this copy of an accordion from Le Dernier Cri's 'Sandwich Series' of astounding accordions. This particular one is no exception although I'm unable to make out the name of the artist(s). No sweat as the book has the usual twisted energy of a Le Dernier Cri publication, but this time in the accordion format its given full play. Individual pages 4.75" x 4.75" seven pages double-sided silkscreen with an overall length of 33.25". 

The reverse side opened up

Leo Quivereu and Judex, Cocaine14, Le Dernier Cri, France, 2014. [edition 200]

Another totally wonderful & crazy publication from Le Dernier Cri. The book comes accompanied by a simple publication featuring the drawings of Virginie Loze, which is not particularly interesting and anyway pales in comparison with the energy of Cocaine14, which was created in collaboration with the two artists Leo Quiveruex and Judex. The way the book is structured as a series of interwoven accordions creates havoc with book form and really engages the reader in exploring its many interlocking & unfolding sections — it's a really fun 'read.' Individual pages 6" x 8.25", with 39 double-sided pages.

A spread from the booklet by Virginie Loze.

Ian Hamilton Finlay, Windmills Winding Waters, Wild Hawthorn Press, Scotland, 1985

Another of Finlay's delightfully suggestive and short works, with the same text repeated on the reverse. 2 2/16" x 2 14/16", total length 11 12/16".

Ana Frois, The Musicians, mixed media, Portugal, 2014

An intriguing accordion that has a photographic substrate with the musicians rendered in pen and ink on the surface. The curious thing about this accordion is that although the subject is music there's no sense of sound, in fact its a peculiarly 'silent' work. Ana describes herself as an architect and self-taught illustrator illustrator from Coimbra in Portugal and the mother of 5 year old twins. 9 pages, single sided with each page 5.75" x 3.5" with a total length of 31.5"

Mars Tokyo, Psychedelic Faces, 2015

A funky and vibrant little artists' book from the Baltimore-based Mars Tokyo. With its corrugated cover and faux Ray Johnson bunny on the front to its inside strip of beautifully drawn psychedelic faces that pop out like a gallery show on steroids this tiny book packs a big punch!

Individual pages 1 5/8" x 2". 10 pages, fully extended at 1' 8".  

Loris Lora, Eventually Everything Connects, London: Nobrow Press, 2014.

Another cool addition to the Nobrow leporello series. This book's theme comes from Loris Lora's earlier project that "...started while attending the Art Center (Pasadena), which highlights the relationships and connections of creatives during a very innovative and exciting time period of design." The accompanying poster/booklet spells out all the different ways in which the figures in the accordion's assorted scenarios were connected to each other within this new architectural & design moment. Prominently displayed across the back of the poster/booklet is a quote from the design guru of this period, Charles Eames, "Eventually everything connects - people, ideas, objects... The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se." 

Single pages 13.25" (height) x 7.75" (width). 20 pages, and fully extended at 6' 5.5".

BMB CON, #11 Shhhhh, Den Haag: Stroom, Netherlands, 2009, ed. 1000

This is a curious accordion publication that I found in the 'sale' section at the book store in the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. On the inside flap BMB con, is described as being "...founded by Justin Bennett, Roelf Toxopeus and Wikke't Hooft in 1989. Since 2006 BMB con. consists of a core duo working together with a changing group in invited artists/performers." The BMB con periodical appears to have taken different shapes over the years including audiocassettes, mini cds and regular cds. This particular issue would seem to be an anomaly with its printed matter format. 

One side of this well-produced accordion is taken up with color photos of what look like sound producing instruments accompanied with instruments for recording sound. The back is made up of texts with recurring themes of sound, music, performative instructions, and tucked into all this text the real giveaway piece that situates all these pieces within one of the larger themes of the piece a take-off of Cage's well known work, "4'33" ticking away Atlas Sirius Eslipicales, Inlets (faithfully blub bulb)."  For more info about this interesting project see: bmbcon.org

Single pages 9" x 6.5", all 16 pages fully extended 8' 8".