Anthro(A)pology
By: by Maureen Cummins
Publisher: Maureen Cummins
Published: 2014
Place of publication: High Falls, New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 60
Subjects: Race relations; Race awareness; Racism in anthropology; Racism in art; Science; Social aspects
Other titles: AnthroApology
Description: "[E]xamines the way in which pseudo-scientific images, charts, diagrams, and other supposedly factual representations have been used for over five centuries to 'teach racism.' The book pairs images from official texts with the artist's own imagined apologies, which are written not only in the literary style of the time, but also in the appropriate handwriting. The images, which reflect a wide array of attitudes--naïve, condescending, paternalistic, prurient, voyeuristic, anthropomorphic, xenophobic, and outright hateful--are counter-balanced by responses that are equally varied in style, attitude, and sincerity. Throughout the book, color is used as a symbol--to mirror the myriad, deceptive, and often visually-pleasing guise in which racism is presented. The artist uses her 'apologia' as both scathing commentary and as a context for interpreting the images (which range from the seemingly innocuous to the incomprehensibly scientific)"--Minnesota Center for Book Arts Prize website, viewed on August 25, 2015.
Notes: Limited edition of 25 copies, signed and numbered by the artist.

"The edition was printed and bound by the artist in the spring and summer of 2014, with typographic assistance from Kathleen McMillan. Calligraphy and handwritten text are by Linda Broadfoot, Maureen Cummins, Karen Gorst, Nancy Howell, and Emma Shoots. Images are from scientific books and other 'official' sources dating from 1590 to 1968. Accompanying texts are a series of imagined apologies written by the artist in the style of the time period. Both text and imagery were printed letterpress from photoengraved plates onto handmade sheets of Velke Losiny Prague [handmade by Velke Losiny]. Color fields on recto pages are waterbased ink washes [hand-applied by the artist]. The edition is three-quarter bound in the style of 19th century textbooks"--Colophon.

"The book is three-quarter bound in the style of 19th century photo albums, with cover sheets handmade by Cave Paper. Each copy of the edition is housed in a handsome slipcase that contains an image from 1802, 'Head of a Parricide,' printed in metallic gold"--Minnesota Center for Book Arts Prize website, viewed on August 25, 2015.

This is copy no. 18 of 25, with artist signature.