David Horton and his Flying Pyramid Press – Celestial Wondering
(Flying Pyramid Press) Celestial Wondering. By David Horton. 1995. 9″ x 9″ accordion fold, unfolds into four cubic cosmic dioramas extending to 54″ in length. Images are archival photographic illustrations, archivally mounted to the front surfaces, backed by painted paper, set into wood frames, painted with acrylic paint and hinged with airplane linen. The three pop-up elements, constructed of paper, brass, wood and beads, are suspended with monofilament and linen thread. Three dimensional planets and star photographs in the final diorama have four holes to allow light to show through. Housed in a square bottomed purple velvet drawstring bag with a small bag for electrical accessories. An edition of 6 copies for sale, as well as one artist’s proof. Fine.
An adventure through the galaxy inspired by the inventions and explorations of Johannes Hevelius, a 17th century astronomer who made thousands of observations of the heavens with instruments of his own invention, and described by Hevelius in his book Machinae Coelestis Pars Prior (The Celestial Machine) 1673-79. Hevelius’ book describes his observatory, built in Danzig, and known as Europe’s finest observatory at the time. It was equipped with instruments of his own design. Using his instruments, he made thousands of observations of the heavens, including observing sunspots, charting the lunar surface, and discovering four new comets. He was a space pioneer.
One such invention was his mammoth telescope which he used to chart the lunar surface and discover four comets. Inspired by Hevelius’ book, Horton has constructed an eight page accordion fold book which opens to display a series of four dioramas that imaginatively lead the viewer through successively broader views of the cosmos. The first two pages open to a pop-up three dimensional rendition of the mammoth telescope pointed at the full moon. The second scene is a representation of the solar system as it was known in the 17th century. The third two page spread opens to the drama of the constellation Ursa Major, commonly known as the big dipper. The final diorama opens to a galactic panorama with four twinkling stars made of fiber optics with flashing tips, illuminated by LED’s and circuitry built into the cover. This book was originally commissioned for the exhibition ‘Science and the Artist’s Book’ at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, 1995.
Horton writes: “My work often playfully explores the relation between illusion and fact. For a number of years now, I have been using photography to make art by fabricating sets for photography and making constructions with photographs. In preparation for the fabrication, I draw. Recently I began showing the sets and the objects made for photography as sculpture. The book form is another form that I explore because it seems to be naturally conducive to inventiveness, it allows the viewer playful participation and it creates space in time. Making art, for me, is metaphorical expression as well as a metaphysical activity … it is a little like making magic.”
David Horton’s work is included in the collections of: The Victoria & Albert Museum, London; Graphik Sammlung ETH, Zurich; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; New York Public Library; Addison Gallery of American Art; Princeton Art Museum Library; Conde Nast Corporate Collection; Library of Congress; Smithsonian Institution; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC; Toledo Art Museum; Houghton Library, Harvard, as well as many distinguished private collections.
Related items: Artists' Books, Original Prints, Photographs & Portfolios, Structure, David Horton, Flying Pyramid Press