---

---

(Shirley Sharoff) La Reparation. Poem by Jean-Loup Philippe. Images and design by Shirley Sharoff. [Paris. 2001.]7.25” x 9.5”. 5 signatures loose in a rough blue corrugated card wrapper, printed on BFK Rives, with text composed by Michael Caine in Times 18. Red etching with two large plastic numerals, as well as various numbers as part of the design, folds round the central similar etching shaded in yellow, red, and green. Sheets are torn to create the impression of broken paper, with text on both complete and torn portions. At the end is a torn black folded sheet containing an English translation of the text on transparent paper. Wrapper torn and then repaired with colored sisal string. Black slipcase with onlaid section of blue corrugated card. One in an edition of 40 copies numbered and signed by the poet and artist, plus 5 HC copies. Fine.

Sharoff writes that she created a book around a poem by Jean-Loup Philippe. “I had just broken my ankle and felt in need of repairs. This book was a manifestation of the repairing.”

She states: “A man has a sudden flashback of images belonging to his childhood but recast in an anguishing light: mutilated dolls, the swish of taffeta skirts, fresh young skin. He feels himself to be brittle, coming apart … but no … he pulls the disassociating parts of himself back together and runs on his way. He feels he has repaired his memories.”

A clever and attractive book.

Related items: Artists' Books, Poetry, Shirley Sharoff