Orpheus - another exuberant typographic masterpiece from Wayzgoose Press

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(Wayzgoose Press) Orpheus through the Rear-Vision Mirror. Poem by George Alexander. Introduction by the poet. Katoomba. 2002. Book conceived and designed by Mike Hudson and handset in a variety of 14 point types by Jadwiga Jarvis. 32p. 13.5” x 9.5”. Profusely illustrated with collographs and monoprints hand-inked on the press thus making each copy in this edition unique. Multi-colored word panels, each hand-inked. All printing is letterpress, including the background, in numerous colors on cotton-alpha Magnani Incisioni. Graphic devices also hand inked. Several passes were needed to execute each procedure, with the total number of passes per page averaging a dozen. Contained in a thick paper ‘envelope’, and housed in a box covered in red cloth, printed with the title in blue. One of 32 numbered copies, signed by the poet, designer and printer. No. 20 of only 27 copies for sale in a total edition of 32 numbered copies, signed by the poet, designer and printer. Prospectus laid in. Fine.

“Since the early 1970s George Alexander has worn a diagonal path between literature and the visual arts, writing for performance, radio, and the printed page, as well as a diverse array of art criticism, … [His] work has been translated into French, Italian and German, and he has been the recipient of Fellowships from the Australia Council and the New South Wales Ministry of Arts. … He has published three literary texts, one of which was awarded the NSW Premier’s Award, 1999.” - Prospectus.

“This Wayzgoose Press production is the fourth in a series of contemporary Australian poets, and is, as usual, not only textually exciting, but typographically inventive and layered.

“The page is designed to resemble the ‘fold-out’ function of a route map (as with the Orphean journey narrative), and the whole work can be viewed when fully unfolded and laid open. There are cut-out shapes that camouflage themselves according to what, by chance, will insinuate itself behind them. An angry paint splatter … punctuates the stream of [words] and gives an edge to the growing sense of alienation suggested by the poem’s descriptions of reality.”- Prospectus.

The poem was specially commissioned for this truly exciting and unique work. Highly recommended as a great exhibition piece - a work that vividly demonstrates what is still creatively and technically possible using 500 year old methods of printing in a digital age!

When the poem is completely revealed the book opens up to approximately ten feet in length.