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Giving fear a proper name : Detroit

Artist's Book
1984 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Artist's book which explores the nature of phobia, based upon Grant's experiences as a resident of inner-city Detroit.

"In the Summer of 1979 I moved to Detroit, Michigan. The following images are interpretations of dreams, recollections, fears, nightmares and day to day experiences that were recorded in a journal from 1979-1981". from the introduction.

This small square book is bound in innocuous looking pink material, the only indication of the sinister content is a small cap-gun on the end of a ribbon for use as a book-mark.

The book contains miniature tableaux depicting phobias along with a text relating to the phobia. The depictions use a variety of disturbing materials, such as hair, pins and human teeth. The collaged illustrations have a photographic portrait element, lending them anatomical authority of a distinctly alarming nature.

Library's copy is no. 11, signed by the artist.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleGiving fear a proper name : Detroit (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Book with collaged photographs, stiching, wire, thread, miniature cap gun
Brief description
Artist's book, 'Giving fear a proper name : Detroit', by Susan kae Grant, Black Rose Press, Texas, 1984
Physical description
Each double page opening comprises a text relating to a named phobia and a collage which consists of a black and white photograph of the artist overlaid and stitched through with pins, hair, nylon thread and wire.

Miniature cap gun attached with thread acts as a book mark.

"The photographs are contact prints from segments of the body that have been collaged, sewn, painted and probed. They also contain hair, teeth, a miniature telephone, barbed wire, and various other three dimensional objects" -- Artist's statement.

"The text is Palatino Roman printed on paper made by Blake Alexander. The boxes were constructed by Brad Metcalf. In a limited edition of fifteen..." -- Colophon.

The book is bound in pink cadillac car vinyl between boards in a hollow back binding and tied with black ribbon.
"Housed in a simulated bullet proof case" -- Artist's statement.



19 leaves
Dimensions
  • Height: 15cm
Summary
Artist's book which explores the nature of phobia, based upon Grant's experiences as a resident of inner-city Detroit.

"In the Summer of 1979 I moved to Detroit, Michigan. The following images are interpretations of dreams, recollections, fears, nightmares and day to day experiences that were recorded in a journal from 1979-1981". from the introduction.

This small square book is bound in innocuous looking pink material, the only indication of the sinister content is a small cap-gun on the end of a ribbon for use as a book-mark.

The book contains miniature tableaux depicting phobias along with a text relating to the phobia. The depictions use a variety of disturbing materials, such as hair, pins and human teeth. The collaged illustrations have a photographic portrait element, lending them anatomical authority of a distinctly alarming nature.

Library's copy is no. 11, signed by the artist.
Other number
X920162
Collection
Library number
38041992103895

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Record createdApril 3, 2014
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