Time of London. Searching for Traces of Times [SIGNED LIMITED ARTIST BOOK EDITION WITH SIGNED AND INSCRIBED ORIGINAL PIGMENT PRINT]

Houston: Gennady Meergus, 2018. Limited edition. Hardcover. Very good to fine condition. Signed, hand-numbered (1/15 book, 1/7 print) and stamped on limitation page at rear and on color print (9 3/8x 6 1/4"). This inscribed "To Joan with grace Houston, 18/3/18 G Meergus" on verso. Oblong quarto. 33 leaves. Original blue cloth with silver lettering and color print laid to debossed square on cover. Flyleaves of the book are photocopies of authentic news papers: "The times" of April 21,1926 (Announcements page) and "The Derby Gazette" of December 18, 1863. Missing slipcase. Photography book made by the artist in and edition of 15, with 73 color photographs (truncated) rendered in archival pigment printing. All pages with original pigment prints on archival paper made by author. Handmade binding. Graphic design by Svetlana Dubas. Photo documents of the making of the book are available on the photographer's website. Binding with light staining in upper right corner of cover. Interior in fine condition.

"Artist statement: Time is not just words in old newspapers, not just dates in history textbooks. Time leaves traces on cities and on their buildings. In this project, we chase the time on the streets of London. In this city generations, epochs, and styles were replacing each other for ages. Inclined, patched buildings sometimes reinforced with bolts, are adapted for new purposes and for technologies of modern life. The walls of London live their own life and give new life to other objects and plants. Old wood beams get charred. Ivy vines settle in seams and moss covers stones. Windows and doors are sealed. New tubes, wires and antennas are mounted around the walls. In this way, a wall changes from mute, speechless material evidence into a witness, an active participant of London history. It brings traces of the past and tells its story to those who are interested to listen. In this story meanings and purposes of objects are ambiguous, dates are diffused, remainders of epochs are mixed into puzzles. They are like messages not addressed to anyone specific. Sometimes it is a story of abandoning the past or about being unable or unwilling to understand the history. Sometimes it is a story about succession and grateful preservation of the heritage. People create buildings that turn into pages, where the time will carve its marks. We show you the images painted by time on the walls of London." (Lensculture). (Inventory #: 49700)