& Artists' book launch at the CFPR
School of Art, Media and Design, UWE Bristol:
4th March - 4th April 2003
Ral Veroni
Artists' Books
I Jaguares y Cacatuas/ Jaguars and Cockatoos:
was Veroni's first artist's book following the publication of a number of poetry fanzines in black and white photocopies. There is a close link between the former work and this book. Argentina, at the time, faced many problems following the hyperinflation of 1989. The author's desire to avoid the restrictions of this situation and to produce a colourful edition led him to use silkscreen as an alternative and economical process of printing. Jaguares y Cacatuas combines texts and images printed using an offset process - popular in Buenos Aires at the time - and silkscreen.
In an edition of 250 printed on sugar paper and photocopy paper. Buenos Aires, 1990
La Muestra Nómade/The Nomad Exhibition:
was initially a travelling exhibition of self-adhesive stickers installed in public places around the city of Buenos Aires. The 42 cartoon-inspired images focused on socio-political influences in contemporary Argentina such as Rata Autoritaria /Authoritarian Rat (referring to the Military Dictatorship) Malabares Ideológicos / Ideological Juggling (a comment on the untrustworthy nature of politicians) and Esperando la Vacuna / Waiting for the Vaccination (in response to the emergence of AIDS). In a clandestine operation conducted by the artist, his friends and associates, over 2000 stickers were 'exhibited' around Buenos Aires over six months: in elevators, buses, public toilets (including those in museums and galleries) and in homes of 'collectors'. The present artist's book is in its way an exhibition catalogue documenting the designs. The exhibition locations are printed in a black and white notebook enclosed with the book.
In an edition of 80. Printed in silkscreen. Buenos Aires, 1991
Narcisismo y Emblema/Narcissism and Emblem:
after 'La Muestra Nomade' Ral Veroni returned to his work in painting. This book, about the narcissism of a painter and the symbols that he chooses to represent himself, was created as a result of this new research. Narcisismo y Emblema was intended as the catalogue of an exhibition which in fact never took place. Printed on silkscreen on conqueror verge of 200 and 130 gr.
In an edition of 300. Buenos Aires, 1993
La Zarza Ardiendo/The Burning Bramble:
After work on a number of other public and political projects Ral Veroni made this bibliophile book in association with Argentinian poet Marta Sabella, combining M.S. handwritten texts and R.V. images. Printed on silkscreen on Conqueror Verge 220 and 130 gr.
In an edition of 139. Buenos Aires, 1995
Vacuum:
with Veroni's appointment as printmaker- in- residence at the Tamarind Institute,
Albuquerque, USA,1996, came a move away from the explicitly public nature of previous works. Vacuum is an edition of 10 lithographic portfolios, and stands, by contrast, as a personal and introspective work. Printed on a luxury Japanese Inomache Nacre paper. Interim: this single book, printed in silkscreen and mono screenprint, was conceived as a sketchbook for a future suit of larger prints. Bound by the artist using a Coptic system.
Printed on Velin Arches of 270 gr. Bristol, UK, 1997.
Itinerario/Itinerary:
in 1997, Ral Veroni became British Council Fellow at the University of the West of England Print Centre where he embarked on Itinerario, an edition of 98 English/75 Spanish artist's books, produced as typeset, single-colour texts on Japanese Kawanaka paper and Ingres Zerkall. It can be described it as a delineation of the artist's hopes and disappointments in art. Itinerario precipitated an emotional journey for Veroni: having spent his childhood observing his father's production of typeset books, the experience of working with this process became a reliving of fond memories. Although, due to illness, Veroni's father was unable to pass on his skills directly, watching him at work strongly influenced his son's choice of profession.
In an edition of 98 English/75 Spanish artist's books, produced as typeset, single-colour texts on Japanese Kawanaka paper and Ingres Zerkall
Sophie:
as with Vacuum, Sophie deliberately avoids combining text with images and the colophon provides only the briefest indication as to its subject: 'in its way, a love story'. The transparent sheets, printed on both sides, build up images which unfold and alter with each turn of the page and the story becomes a work which gains order through its viewing. With the production of Sophie, it was a moved from traditional print techniques to experiment with electronic media. Printed using inkjet onto Transmarque White Cloud paper.
In an edition of 15. Bristol, UK, 1998
Lucha por la Vida/Struggle for Life:
was made at the Women' Studio Workshop with a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts. The book has 30 screen-prints on paper currency removed from circulation due to hyper-inflation in Third World countries. The intent is to examine human relationship to money, both as an object and as a denomination of value, looking at the gravity and importance with which it is regarded it. The banknotes are inserted in plastic sleeves. The origin of the banknotes differs in each book, making each of them a unique copy in form and content. Introductory and explanatory inkjet printed texts by Ral Veroni in both in English and Spanish accompany the artworks. Cloth and illustrated paper over board covers with hidden screws and post binding. Size: 15.5 x 24.5 cms. 88 pages.
New York, 2000. Edition of 40
Struggle For Life:
This pocket edition is a smaller version of the book of the same name, made in New York the previous year. The book reproduces images of the complete series of 30 banknotes inkjet printed on Somerset Book 175 gm. Paper. The last page is a plastic sleeve, which holds one original screen-printed banknote (as opposed to the larger book which holds 30 original banknotes) 11.2 x 17cm. 18 pages. English version only with a glossary of terms and introduction to the titles from Spanish.
Glasgow, 2001. Edition of 200
Buenos Aires:
This artist's book holds the whole series of 22 digital photographs under the same name. Ink-jet printed on 167 gm. Epson Matte paper and bound as a postcard portfolio, the pages are held in an envelope which slips into the cover box. Bilingual edition English-Spanish, with brief introduction and a three-part folded index page (total size 16.5 x 39 cm). Size: 13.5 x 17 cm. 52 pages.
Glasgow, 2002. Edition of 50.
Glasgow:
holds a series of 22 digital photographs, ink-jet printed on Epson Matte 167 gm. paper. As with Buenos Aires -its twin edition- it is bound as a postcard portfolio, the pages are held by an envelope which slips into the cover box. Bilingual edition English-Spanish, with a structure of symbols as introduction and a three-part folded page with poems by RV (total size 16.5 x 39 cm). Size: 13.5 x 17 cm. 52 pages.
Glasgow, 2002. Edition of 50.
Links to sites containing Ral Veroni's works:
http://www.csupomona.edu/~kellogg_gallery/critics/veroni.html
www.canvas-art.nl/start.html
www.veroni.fsnet.co.uk/
http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/Art/artistsbooks/Politics.html
www.sl-photoworks.demon.co.uk/archive/veroni/veroni.html
For more information on this, or any of the Artists Book Events at CFPR, please contact:
Research Associate for Artists' Books
Centre for Fine Print Research UWE, Bristol
Faculty of Art, Media and Design
Kennel Lodge Road
Bristol
BS3 2JT
UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 344 4747
Fax: +44 (0)117 344 4824
Sarah.Bodman@uwe.ac.uk
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