Alternative Photo Residency, Leran, France (2018, 2019)

Alternative Photo Residency, Learn, France (2018, 2019)

Continuing with my research and the master classes in alternative photography I once again joined Dianne Bos, and Sarah Fuller, co-founders of the Institute of Unusual Studies. This time we met in one of my favorite parts of France, the Midi Pyrenees. The focus of this master class was cyanotype, anthotype, both early photo processes I had explored in depth, in the earlier part of my career. I welcomed the opportunity to revisit these modalities in a fresh new way. As part of the experience we travelled to some of the villages and towns close by and frequented the brocante (flea markets), Vide Grenier (yard sales) and used bookstores searching for found material that might be of interest. On one such visit to Mirepoix I stumbled upon a used book bin and found a small botany text from the 1860’s. It was in bad condition but had some lovely drawn plates in the back that I thought might translate nicely in cyanotype.  I attempted to purchase the small book, but the seller waved me on and said it was a gift.  I took my treasure back to the gite where I was staying with the idea that I would cut the plate pages out to use as small prints. On further examination I became intrigued with the book and its text. I suddenly decided that I would carefully deconstruct the book, copy each page using cyanotype and then reconstruct the book back into the original binding. The old pages often crumbled as I cut through the thread holding each signature. In analyzing the reconstruction, I realized I needed to select a paper that was both light and strong to be able to rebind the book into the original binding. I chose a Japanese paper called Tosa washi. Too, the use of cyanotype seemed fitting and was a nod to Anna Atkins, a 19th century English botanist and pioneer of early photography, a master of cyanotype who created and published British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions, 1843, an archive of photograms of algae. Atkin’s collection is now thought to be the first book of photography. The deconstruction /reconstruction became a pivotal part of the life of this little book of botany.