Shadow Play

Washington DC: The Library Fellows of The National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1998. Limited Edition. Folio in a case. Fine. No. 1 of 125 copies, the case an oblong elephant folio size, text booklet 16 pp. An exceptionally innovative artist book which "is an invitation to participate in the creation of your own story. Inspired by Shadow Puppet Theater which occurs in many cultures, it reflects the forms of Indonesian Shadow Play, introduces the goddesses of Indian mythology, and presents themes which are universal throughout the world's stories..." (n.b., from text booklet).

From the web site of the artist: "Ann Kresge is an internationally (truncated) exhibited artist whose works are in university, museum and private collections. She works in a range of media and has a specialty in printmaking and book arts. Kresge was born in Wisconsin, has lived in Europe and NY, and is currently a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has a BA in Studio Art from Smith College and an MFA in Printmaking and Graphic Design from Pratt Institute.

Her interests lie in expressing a sense of place through symbol, color, and texture. Her artists’ books include flyable pages and an interactive shadow puppet theater. Her interart work involves installations, video, stage sets, and collaborations with improvisational musicians, poets, and dancers. The collaborations have been exhibited and performed in the US, Japan, Mexico, Europe, and China...[Her] work is included in the following collections: The National Museum of Women In The Arts, Washington DC, The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, Yale University, Vassar College, New York Public Library, US Library of Congress, and the Art Institute of Chicago."

Scarce in the online marketplace, as of this writing there are no other copies online, and our search of OCLC locates thirty-two copies with institutions (out of the total edition of 125 copies).

___DESCRIPTION: A gate-fold case (measuring almost 18" wide by 14 1/2" tall) covered with patterned cloth, the front board with a mounted rectangular piece of patterned cloth with the title printed in black, the two sides with pockets in the interior which hold six puppets secured by small pieces of velcro, the puppets of various papers imaginatively decorated and painted in various colours, the middle section constructed to act as a "stage", with frames that open to the left and right, between each frame are "backdrops" of decorated paper with various words scattered which evoke images, or the passing of time, or aging, a separate sheet of paper that acts as both title page and colophon, signed by Kresge in pencil and numbered (also in pencil), this no. 1 of 125 copies, a separate accordion-style booklet (10" by 5 1/2" when closed) with eight panels, printed on both sides, contains the poems by Kennedy as well as instructions for the "Shadow Play" and "How to operate the puppets", which explains each of the puppets in detail; per the colophon, types used are New York (Macintosh) and Avant Garde, letterpress printed by the artist on a Vandercook Press, papers used include various archival, acid free and Asian papers including Abaca (banana leaf) paper handmade by the artist, printmaking processes combine etching, relief and chine colle.

___CONDITION: The entire production fine overall, all parts clean and without wear, and entirely free of prior owner markings; the single "title page" with one corner gently bent and slight indentations from the "stage" upon which it has been resting, the accordion booklet with some minute edgewear. A stunning artist book that excites the imagination.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help. (Inventory #: 24101002)