Fab artist's book-triptychs from Carina Granlund (Petsmo, Finland)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Carina Granlund (Petsmo, Finland)

January 25, 2014 - Carina Granlund sent me a package beyond compare for the holiday season, the highlight of which is an absolutely stunning artist’s book. The cover is shown above with its delicately made clasp that also functions as a cut-up. The book uses a triptych structure with panels of images on one side and text on the other:

I admire Carina’s unerring eye for fascinating images and her ability to weave nonlinear narratives that integrate startling juxtapositions with elements of formal continuity. For example, notice the repetition of faces and their placement. The camera adds an element of the self-referential; the watch introduces the element of time and movement, extended by the car and merry-go-round horse. The longer one meditates, the more possibilities present themselves. The textual triptych is equally fascinating:

Again, there is a strong formalist element in the composition offset by the disrupted text. It appears that Carina was not simply using text as material here; and there is a message concerning art, albeit cloaked in her characteristically cryptic style. The self-referential element – art about art – becomes undeniable in this second triptych. I have found a deeply personal and moving meaning in the work, which I will not explain, so others might find their own personal meanings too. “The Three Marys” certainly suggests a triptych.

The book was enclosed in this handmade envelope (above). I did smile, realizing the date is Pearl Harbor Day, which is still observed in the USA. The missive also contained a wonderful collage made of thick scraps and pieces. This piece could fairly be considered haptic:

The reverse side suggests Trashpo as well:

As the envelope indicates, never discount Carina Granlund’s wry humor either:

Postcrossing? Really?

Her use of tape is always a fav of nine, and here we have another great example.

Carina Granlund’s mail-art is always exceptionally well done and thoughtful. Even so, I consider this particular package a masterpiece. Thanks, as ever.

[De Villo Sloan]

Glad you found it, Carina. Marie probably launched the triptych revival. Other people were making them at the time too. Yes, I've seen different approaches to the binding issue.

Again, thank you!

[Carina]

Hi everyone! Thanks for a great blog DVS! It always strikes me how important feedback is to me when I am reading your (and other people's) blogs. Nothing new, but I often try to find out how it affects my own creative process. What is my motive and so on. I always come up with a bunch of cliches.

So glad you see stories in the pictures. I feel like a storyteller! I had serious problems with the binding of this book :)

Marie's work is always an inspiration. I probably steal her ideas and solutions all the time. (but I think she knows that) This Superman triptych is good!

[De Villo Sloan]

& we saw Marie Wintzer's "Life on Mars" work today. Marie has done some wonderful triptychs.

[De Villo Sloan]

Glad you like it, XX (and Rebecca). I'm missing Carina!

[xx Jones]

wonderful!