Two-by-Two: Men in Pairs


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    First Edition.

    25.5cm x 11cm. 224 pages, black and white illustrations. Black cloth, white lettering, pictorial onlay.

    A cute little artist book in which Brickell explores the question “What does it mean for two men to be together?” 100 photos from 1880 to 1960, most of which were previously unpublished, of New Zealand men in pairs. Brothers, friends, colleagues, lovers; at home, work, play, or in a photographers’ studio. “An introductory essay explores the impact of social and technological changes on New Zealand men’s relationships. I’m intrigued by the continuities as well as disconnections between modes of connection between men: what are the similarities, if any, between workmates, brothers, friends and intimate partners. While the essay discusses these issues, the photographs offer up their own stories. Sometimes their sitters’ details are known, but often they aren’t. Ultimately it is up to readers to interpret the images for themselves. I have also played around with the idea of the book as object. This hand-crafted volume features black-and-white images, colour endpapers and is hard bound in black cloth by a crafts bookbinder. Photos, whether formally produced or casual snapshots, are aesthetic objects: so too is this book as their container and mode of display.” (artist’s statement) A limited edition of 120 signed and numbered copies, of which this is number 10, this copy further inscribed by Brickell on the final page to two men. 16 copies in OCLC, none outside of New Zealand.

    Slightly cocked. Near Fine Condition.

    SOLD