Al-Mutanabbi Street
By: Beata Wehr
Contributors: Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here Artists' Books Collection (Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library); Al-Mutanabbi Street Coalition
Publisher: B. Wehr
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Tucson
Language: eng
Subjects: Artists' books; Specimens; Violence; Terrorism in art; Booksellers and bookselling; Pictorial works; Bombings; Iraq War, 2003-2011; Books and reading in art; Intellectual life; Social conditions; Censorship; In art; War and civilization; Vehicle bombs; Visual literature
Description: "'Al-Mutanabbi Street' was created in response to the tragic bombing in Baghdad. The street that was the heart of literary and intellectual community was destroyed in 2007 and many people were killed or injured. The pages contain carpets covered with the pattern of words in different languages and alphabets - all of them mean 'a book'. It is a story of Al-Mutanabbi Street - from a flourishing place full of books through the attack to rebirth. It can be read from left to right and from right to left depending on the cultural origin of the reader. My book is a tribute to the people killed or injured there. It is also a statement of my belief in importance of books that despite disasters continue to accompany us through our lives."--Artist's statement  from the Book Arts at the Centre for Fine Print Research, UK website.
Notes: Edition of 12 copies numbered and signed by the artist. Created for The Al Mutanabbi Street Book Arts Coalition Project. Single signature pamphlet. Archival inkjet print, color pencils, black ink. In hand-stitched envelope with title on cover. On back cover: Book 115.

Gift; Beau Beausoleil; 2019-2020.