KATE JORDAHL
Kate Jordahl was one of the last artists who I spoke with. She brought a stack of books published by her own press, True North Editions. Her small, “One Poem Books” are created in small editions and each feature her photographs taken in response to a single poem. Though they are small, they are not delicate; they are hefty with detail and meaning in each image. Each edition is different and focuses on a different poet. Wild Geese, the fourth edition in this series, is based upon the poetry of Wendell Berry. As you flip past the poem, the words “What we need is here” resonate in your mind as you focus on the relationship of his poetry to her black and white landscapes. Kate writes, “What we need is here—in the world, in our hearts, at the turn of a page. What we need is there—out west, over the next hill, back home.” Berry’s words cast a more somber tone to her photographs, visualizing that nostalgia for a place unknown.
As you flip past the poem, the words resonate in your mind as you focus on the relationship of Berry’s poetry to Jordahl’s photography.
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Additionally, Jordahl and I spent time talking about how curatorially to include books in the gallery setting apart from simply setting them on a bookshelf. Whether self-published or not, I think this is an interesting discussion for artists and curators to have as the book form is just as final as a print on the wall. For me, these four artists highlight the importance of the art of the photobook as a window into the artist’s intentions. With the photobook, viewers have the opportunity to hold, flip, and feel the intentions of the artists. This ability to increase the viewer’s physical interaction allows the viewer a chance to become a part of the artists’ story. top Afternoons with Ruth, Edition of 50 Silver gelatin prints, letter press, hand bound published by Dreaming Mind and True North Editions. bottom Wild Geese, hardback edition of 100, paperback edition of 300 Hardbound and stamped published by Dreaming Mind and True North Editions.
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