The Second Coming (Again)
Seattle: Aubergine Atelier [printed at Windowpane Press], 2019. Fenton, Jodee. Limited Edition. Hardcover. One of thirty copies, oblong octavo, 54 pp. with fourteen paintings. Fine. Item #PTCD01
William Butler Yeat's poem "The Second Coming" was written as the world was slowly emerging from "The Great War", and is considered by many to be one of the most important poems of the twentieth century. As written in the artist statement, " 'The Second Coming' references political and economic threats of the early 20th century which were dominating the cultural, political, and social news of the time....This poem explores these complex events and emotions and seems very relevant to what we face in the early 21st Century."
The imagery of the poetry fascinates many, and the Seattle-based artist, Jodee Fenton, has responded to the poem with this lovely artist book: with the artwork interleaved with the text which "gives us time to read, see, pause, and think. And connect with Yeats himself." (ibid)
Although issued in an edition of thirty copies, each copy is unique. Each painting is unique and each copy of the edition has its own set of paintings. The paintings are done on both sides of the kozo paper, "allowing for the paint to be part of the visual images."
Jodee Fenton holds several degrees, including a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Washington. She is a member of the Guild of Book Workers, the Puget Sound Book Artists Association, and the Book Arts Guild.
___DESCRIPTION: Bound in quarter navy imprinted goatskin, the boards covered with custom-made paper coverings from recycled kraft paper grocery bags which were painted, stamped with the title, varnished and waxed, the textblock sewn on cords, the top edge treated with acrylic paint, the pastedowns hand painted, the paintings being water-based media (guache, egg white medium, watercolor, polycrilic varnish) on Japanese kozo papers, Linotype Garamond type printed on Rives Lightweight paper, binding oblong octavo size (8 3/4" wide by 5 3/4" high), 54 pp., issued in an edition of thirty copies, this being no. 13 and one of ten bound in half leather. Housed in a clamshell box covered with blue-brown changeable silk, paper spine label with black lettering, lined with felt; laid into the box is the prospectus, a single sheet folded once to four pages, the limitation number written on the prospectus as well.
___CONDITION: Volume fine, the leather smooth and supple, the boards clean and without wear, straight corners without rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; clean and as new. The clamshell box fine overall, clean and without wear, with one corner very gently bumped; the prospectus also fine overall without wear or tears, with one tiny spot.
___POSTAGE: International customers, please note the following: (i) additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs, please inquire for details; and (ii) any taxes, duty, or tariffs charged by your country will, of necessity, be your responsibility.
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Price: $1,800.00