081100

In the spring of 2019 I produced an artists' book that did not live up to my expectations. When I got it back from the printer, I knew it was not going to be published. The book had to many flaws (too many to mention here), but most importantly: it did not feel right. In sheer frustration, I selected the nine best pages and ripped them out of the book. Then I separated the cover from nine copies and placed the torn pages on each cover - attached only with cheap masking tape. I shredded the rest of the edition…

To contextualize the exhibition 081100 I invited graphic designer Jacob Haagen Birch to write an essay that deals with the fear of making (or overlooking) mistakes during the process of creating books. Birchs essay, juxtaposed with fragments of work from the exhibition and shredded pieces from the discarded book was published as a new artists’ book by Bladr in collaboration with Ransby Editions.

Artists' book
21 × 29,7 cm
24 pages
1 color offset print
ISBN 978-87-9976693-9-1
shredded pieces from original artists’ book inserted
text contribution by Jacob Haagen Birch
Ransby Editions / Bladr 2021

The artists' book was selected as an example of Årets Bedste Bogarbejde, 2022 (The best bookwork of the year, 2022) by Forening for Boghaandværk (The Danish Book Craft Society). Read the rationale below.

A conversation - in conjunction with Chart Book Fair - on the making and creation of artists’ books, and the mistakes and failed choices that are an inevitable part of that work. The outset of the conversation was artist Martin Ransby's solo exhibition 081100 at Bladr and the text Horeunger, dæmoner, floder og bryllupper (Bastards, demons, rivers and weddings) written by designer Jacob Haagen Birch.

Artist talk
Moderated by Sara Lubich
Chart Book Fair, Charlottenborg
Kongens Nytorv 1, 1050 Copenhagen
August 27, 2021