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The First seven days: Genesis 1-2:3

Artist's Book
1987 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is the first bookwork by Julie Chen, produced in a double accordion-fold format and bound using a non-adhesive structure. Chen chose to use a religious text for the work because of her parents' involvement in the church throughout her childhood. In discussing the structure of the work, Chen stated that she, 'wanted there to be a sense of visual continuation, so that the images flowed from one page to the next'. This is achieved using two accordion-folded sections; the narrative reads from the front to the back of the left-hand opening, and then from the back to the front of the right-hand opening. The narrative flow is mirrored by the images which spill over from the edge of one page opening onto the next in a finely crafted, structually adept bookwork.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe First seven days: Genesis 1-2:3 (published title)
Materials and techniques
Printed book, letterpress printing, linoleum reduction block prints
Brief description
Artist's book, 'The First seven days: Genesis 1-2:3', by Julie Chen, Flying Fish Press, Berkeley, 1987

Physical description
Artist's book in a double-accordion folded format.

10 folded leaves.

NAL copy is no. 6 in a limited edition of 45 copies, signed by the artist.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21cm
Summary
This is the first bookwork by Julie Chen, produced in a double accordion-fold format and bound using a non-adhesive structure. Chen chose to use a religious text for the work because of her parents' involvement in the church throughout her childhood. In discussing the structure of the work, Chen stated that she, 'wanted there to be a sense of visual continuation, so that the images flowed from one page to the next'. This is achieved using two accordion-folded sections; the narrative reads from the front to the back of the left-hand opening, and then from the back to the front of the right-hand opening. The narrative flow is mirrored by the images which spill over from the edge of one page opening onto the next in a finely crafted, structually adept bookwork.
Bibliographic reference
Speaking of book art: interviews with British and American book artists, by Cathy Courtney. Los Altos Hill: Anderson-Lovelace; London: Red Gull, 1999. NAL pressmark: AB.99.0001
Other number
X890011 - NAL Pressmark
Collection
Library number
38041988036851

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Record createdFebruary 13, 2014
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