One-Sun (Mehdi Matin), Anti-Camera Amsterdam, Uranian Press, 2014

A curious little accordion that contains a number of One-Sun's mixed media works on canvas, in which he reworks photographs of Amsterdam buildings with his painterly interventions on the photograph. 

One-Sun is the current director of the Phalanstery, a protege of Mm. Read, painter, sculptor, printmaker, eco-builder, publisher of the new Uranian Press, martial artist and gardener.  For further information about the Phalanstery and its publishing activities, its founder Richard O. Tyler (1926-1983) and his work — keyword search "Phalanstery" on this blog.

6 pages double-sided, individual pages 5" x 3", and when fully open 1ft 6".

reverse side

back cover

Ellie Lobovits, Night Flowers, 2022

A rather interesting work by this artist based in Brooklyn. On her website she describes herself as a "visual artist, writer, and midwife-in-training. Ellie's practice spans diverse media, including photography, film, collage and text. Self-portraiture, imagery of the natural world, and first-person narratives are recurring elements in her exploration of the intersections of feminist identity, the body, land, loss, and memory. Interweaving autobiographical elements with current socio-cultural issues, she explores what occurs in the space of juxtaposition between the so-called private and public spheres." Check out her website at: about — Ellie Lobovits

6 double-sided pages, individually 7" x 5.75", and when fully open 2ft 9.5".

reverse side

R. Clarke-Davis, Untitled, 2022

Another accordion/puzzle book from R. Clarke-Davis (search for others on this blog). I'm not quite sure of the date of the photos here, but they would seem to depict the run-up to the Brasilian election of 2018, which Jair Bolsonaro won. The photos depict the campaign posters of the various candidates displayed in an assortment of locations.

14 pages double-sided, individual pages 4.25" x 5.5", and when fully open 6ft 5".

Hiroshige (1797-1858), A Shoal of Fishes, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1980

An accordion comprised of reproductions of 20 different prints of fish, accompanied by a section with information about each print, as well as a poem associated with each fish.

The reproductions are fine and obviously the prints are wonderful examples of this well known artists' works. The only problem for me with this "accordion" is that it does not behave like a traditional accordion! 

The works are comprised of one page prints that have then been folded in half, and then each edge of the sheet is glued to the one that follows it. Which all results in a binding at each side of the print that does not open up fully, as it would have if it had been a long continuous folded sheet. To force the "accordion" open would be to endanger the whole work, as the binding would probably break.  As a result, the only safe way to experience this book is as a traditional book, two pages at a time, all of which rather defeats the whole point of printing the book in the accordion format!

56 single-sided pages, individually 10.5" x 7.5", and when fully open 35 feet.

accordion with slip cover

Larry Wolf, Pavement Calligraphy, 2021

Larry Wolf photographed these worn and disintegrating road markers at Clark and Lawrence in Chicago, and this observation & documentation of something in his everyday life, makes for a succinct little accordion. 

Wolf writes about his work saying, "I seek creative dissonance and celebrate the richness of life. Photography is a gateway to being present, grounding awareness in direct perception. Holding the camera shifts me to a visual mode, fully in my body, in the world, here and now. This is a meditative practice, a non-verbal experience of ordinary moments that connects hands, eyes, heart and mind. My pronouns are he/him/his. "Make good trouble," John Lewis.

For more of Wolf's works see: Impulse to Action: My 2021 Zine Making Journey

6 pages double-sided, size 2.75" x 2.75", and when unfolded 1ft 4.5".

front

reverse

                             

image by Larry Wolf

                       

Irene Berra, Interregnum, Vol. 1, Netherlands, 2020

This is just a delightful accordion with its superior technique & packaging, but also the theme of "interregnum" seems to reflect upon something about the present time and our larger global moment. In times of crisis people come together and help each other, and this is the positive spirit that pervades this beautiful book. I can't help but think that this book is also a response to the Covid epidemic as well. 

Berra had planned this work to have 3 volumes, but admits she's been distracted by other projects. Either way, I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing the 2 new volumes!

Originally a watercolor work, this accordion is printed on a textured paper that gives you the feeling of the original paper itself. Berra describes herself as "an illustrator rooted in Italy and planted in the Netherlands."

Here's a link to Berra's website: https://www.ireneberra.com  and a link to an animation she made about the accordion: Interregnum Vol. I (Short Animation) on Vimeo

14 pages double-sided, individual pages 5.5" x 4", and when unfolded 4ft 8".

work's slip cover

front page

reverse side

back of accordion

back of slip cover

Bill Gaglione (aka Picasso Gaglione), 8 accordions, various media, 2022

I'm not going to say anything about these wonderfully experimental accordions from the Dada master down in Knoxville, TN. They really don't need any written explanation as they speak quite eloquently for themselves. 

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