The Secret Astronomy of Tristram Shandy + When Looking Down is Looking Up

The Secret Astronomy of Tristram Shandy + When Looking Down is Looking Up

c3:initiative
December 12, 2015 - January 17, 2016
7326 N. Chicago / Portland, Ore. / 97203
Opening Reception + Book Launch / Saturday, December 12 / 5 - 7 pm
Gallery Hours / Friday - Sunday / 12 - 5

The Secret Astronomy of Tristram Shandy
2015 Portland Publication Fair
Sunday, December 13 / 12 - 6
The Cleaners at Ace Hotel / 1022 SW Stark / Portland, Ore. / 97205

The Secret Astronomy of Tristram Shandy is a book that reproduces over one hundred, self-reflexive black pages from multiple, paperback editions & copies of Laurence Sterne's The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. When taken out of context and accumulated, these once playful, visual metaphors reveal the printing inconsistencies of ink on paper (varying density, hickeys, oxidation spots, and moiré patterns). The hidden nature of the page, that which was unread, can now be read. In this case, astronomical imagery is revealed; that of stars speckled across an inky blackness or the soft haze and ripple of a galaxy. Since the 1760s, readers, printers and publishers have been forced to grapple with the black pages of Sterne's novel; this struggle with discovery, meaning, and craft is at the heart of The Secret Astronomy of Tristram Shandy.

The Secret Astronomy of Tristram Shandy can be purchased through c3:initiative, at the 2015 Portland Publication Fair, or by contacting the artist at personallibraries {at} gmail {dot} com for $70 USD.

The Secret Astronomy of Tristram Shandy is funded in part by the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

When Looking Down is Looking Up is an ongoing investigation of the shift from outer space to page as a re-envisioning of matter and printed matter. It centers on how when contemplating what is known and unknown, one usually finds themselves either staring down at the page or up into the sky. The viewing at c3:initiative from December 12, 2015 to January 17, 2016 will include photographs and book works.

I would like to thank Shir and Erin at c3:initiative for supporting When Looking Down is Looking Up and The Secret Astronomy of Tristram Shandy, as well as Publication Studio for continued support and for organizing the Publication Fair.

c3:initiative
Publication Studio
2015 Publication Fair
abraancliffe.com