Compound: A Celebration of Diversity
San Juan Capistrano, CA: Inkswine Press Book Arts, n.d. Hardcover. Number 3 of 30 copies, signed and numbered by the book artist on the colophon. Hagner describes this book as a "little gem that is about the beauty of diversity, an exquisite corpse as it were, in society, art,, and language." This lovely miniature book features eight compound animals reminiscent of chap-book style woodcuts, with letterpress titles in the Cromwell typeface. The book is printed in two shades, plus foil on hand-made paper for wrapped covers and back covers, and handmade endpapers with gilt screen printing. There is a dedicated page with the words "To Diversity." Dirk's compound animals connect two diverse breeds with the two breeds printed on the front and back of a page, with the names of each animal in the compound.The book is a 16-panel accordion-style work bound in magenta paper covers with the title in white against a black background. Gilt and black images of the front and back of one of the compound animals decoate the covers. In fine condition. The book measures 5.625 x 4.375 x .05 inches closed, and opens to display at 5.625 x 78.75 inches. In fine condition.
Artist's statement: "My artist books, broadsides, and loose-leaf editions are published in very small numbers, as low as five. All are hand-printed and hand-bound (in case of books) by me, all are signed and numbered. While I am trying to be perfect, I am human, not a machine. Some variations in the editioned work are to be expected due to the processes, materials, and the artist’s change of mind. It is exactly what makes the work collectible: each piece is an original work of art. The pieces employ printmaking like original etchings, woodcuts, carborundum, screen prints, monotype, monoprint, and letterpress. Nothing is produced using digital reproduction methods." Dirk's books have been widely collected and can be found in a number of institutional libraries. ARTB/061825. Fine.
Item #38026
Price: $850.00