Weekly Perusables: Hanuman Miniature Books

Hanuman books published miniature books by well-known writers and artists from 1986 to 1993.  The press, created by editor Raymond Foye and artist Francesco Clemente, was based out of New York City, but the books were printed and bound in India.  Their small 3" x 4" format was modeled off of Hindu prayer books, and the covers were made with handmade Indian paper and vegetable dies.

With a total of 50 titles, the Hanuman series included works by William Burroughs, Patti Smith, Jack Kerouac, and William de Kooning.  The Herron Library collection holds titles by artists Robert Frank, David Hockney and Francis Picabia, and critic and curator Henry Geldzahler.

Robert Frank One Hour
Henry Geldzahler Looking at Pictures
David Hockney Picasso
Francis Picabia Who Knows
Francis Picabia Yesno
All housed in secure area


Sources
Museu D'Art Contemporani de Barcelona's Col·lecció documental Hanuman Books 
University of Michigan Special Collections Library's Finding aid for Hanuman Books Records

(blog entry by Sara O'Sha)

Weekly Perusables: Hand Book

Part of the Herron Library's artists' book collection, Damara Kaminecki's Hand Book combines collage and illustration in a hand-shaped book. The artist said about the work:

"The Hand book is a way for people to interact with art as an object. The book's hands mimics the viewers own hands as it lies in their palms. The images are a non-verbal poem relating to touch and how it can be received internally and externally."

A Chicago native, Kaminecki works mostly in illustration and collage under the name Damarak the Destroyer. For examples visit www.damarakthedestroyer.com.

Hand Book is now on display in our artists' book alcove.


Hand Book by Damara Kaminecki
Herron Library - Artists' Books
N7433.4.K355 H36 2005

Sources:
Image by Herron Library, book by Damara Kaminecki
The artist's website www.damarakthedestroyer.com

(blog entry by Sara O'Sha)

Weekly Perusables: Tooth Ring

Tooth Ring, by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, is part of Herron Art Library's artists' book collection, and is currently on display in the arists' book alcove. The silver ring is part of an edition of 23, and features a cast of the artist's left molar.

P-Orridge is best known for founding early industrial bands Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV and his "Pandrogeny" project where he and his late wife, Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge, attempted to merge their identities through cosmetic surgery, hormone therapy and behavior modification. The artist also creates work heavily influenced by Dadaist collage, with examples in 30 Years of Being Cut Up, also part of the Herron artists' book collection.

Tooth Ring
N7433.4.P677 T6684 2010 Artists' Books

30 Years of Being Cut Up
N7433.4.P677 A123 2009 Artists' Books



image from WesternXeditions

Sources: The artist's website, genesisbreyerporridge.com and "Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and Daniel Albrigo: Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is... A LOVE STORY," on artlog.com

(blog entry by Sara O'Sha)