Description
Douglas Stockdale, Middle Ground published by Fabrik Press, 2019
A Limited-Edition box set, includes limited edition signed and numbered book & print in an artist assembled presentation box. Unique Book Belly Band*; re-allocated section of an exhibition print from solo exhibition, Fabrik Projects, May 2018. *The Belly Band shown is not the same for each box set, but representative. (Available Editions 1AP, 1/25, 2/25)
In the summer of 2016 I began a long-term assignment that required driving from Orange County down to San Diego on Interstate-5 (I-5). While in San Diego’s North County bumper-to-bumper I-5 commuter traffic I had an opportunity to closely observe the complexity of the concrete barriers and hedges that had been developed as a roadway median. Over the years this median was now in a state of disrepair with numerous gaps, dead or dying vegetation, broken concrete, weeds, and debris that provided an occasional glimpse of the opposite urban landscape. The details of this median barrier are fascinating and foreign to me as I had rarely noticed these myriad artifacts while hurling past at 65 miles per hour.
It was during this same time that a presidential candidate was insisting that a “Bigly” medieval wall was needed for the American-Mexican border located just a few miles further south. This section of the I-5 freeway median provides a visual parody and a political critique of what was being proposed; an ineffectual barrier. Middle Ground is a visceral response to the concept of what is means to stop, impede, restrict, or interfere with the essence of humanity. I am amazed that we had not learned anything from the recent Berlin Wall or the long history of the Great Wall of China which did not stop the invading hordes.
The Middle Ground leporello artist book unfurls to a length of 21 feet, the same length of a K-rail (Jersey Walls) that are used to construct the median barrier. Ironically the prominent plant used to create the freeway median is Oleander, which requires minimal water and has beautiful flowers throughout the year, but is also one the deadliest plants on earth and symbolic of the equally dangerous barbed wire that sits on top of the actual border walls.
Signed and numbered artist book
Artist/photographer: Douglas Stockdale
Publisher; Fabrik Press: Los Angeles, California
Publication date: August 2019 (copyright date: 2018)
Book design: Stiff covers with flap-over French fold, Leporello book
Unique Book Belly Band*; re-allocated section of an exhibition print from solo exhibition, Fabrik Projects, May 2018. *The Belly Band shown is not the same for each box set, but representative.
Pages: 66 pages (blank verso)
Photographs: 31 Images, color
Printing: 4 color commercial lithographic printing
Leporello binding: hand-bound by the artist
Book design: Douglas Stockdale & Chris Davies
Book trim size: 6-1/2” x 8-1/4” (165mm x 210mm)
Acknowledgements & Colophon, without essays, captions or pagination
Interior paper: 80# Gloss Cover
Text: English and Spanish
Book Belly Band; re-allocated section of exhibition print from solo exhibition, Fabrik Projects, May 2018
Signed and matching numbered photographic print
Photograph Title: Disjointed
Medium: Archival Pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Pearl, 100% cotton, soft gloss finish, 320 gms (weight)
Dates: image created 2016, edition printed 2018
Image size: 7-1/4” x 9” on a 8” x 10” sheet
Presentation box
Black slip-cover presentation box (Archival Methods Proof Box); 10-3/8” x 8-1/4” x 1-3/8”
Artist made insert, book nest with black ribbon pull
Edition size for signed and numbered book + print box set: 25 plus 3 A/P
