#book installation

απαθανατιζω / diploma installation with intaglio prints / valentini mavrodoglou / 2017 

Anthropologie book wall

In a time of economic upheaval, one of Natural Curiosities statement pieces reflects on this simple expression of "cooking the books". Each book has been worn in its pages, dipped in an aging elixir, and left to cook in the Los Angeles sunshine.

"Some people have uneasy, squeamish thoughts when they look at fungus: it’s something surreptitious, uncontrollable; it lives hidden underground in familiar locales, ready to spring to life unexpectedly, and it often manifests itself as part of the demise of another organism. Fungus is an agent of change. I’m fascinated with its myriad forms, and I love to go in search of it."

This piece is called "About Memories," and it is by Japanese artist, Hiroko Kono. It was hard to find her website, since the one I followed brought me to a bunch of gibberish without any internal links. I am astounded at the amount of detail and pain in this piece. That middle picture shows how much it aches. She carved pieces of wood remnants to take the place of books. Still, in so many piles and mounds, the piece does feel complete.  This piece is on view now at the Nakanojo Biennale. I am sure it towers more than it looks like it does. About memories, huh? Powerful title. It silences me.

Linda and John Meyers make up quite the creative pair. I just found their website, and I feel totally dumbfounded at how much they are able to do. They walk so many areas of life together! It makes me feel hopeful and excited for my own future when I look at all of the things they have done so far. They have an eclectic, decorator-like style, filled with pattern and color. They also do installations. The books pouring out of the wall might be my favorite. That first bedroom though, whew! It's a doozie!