A 3D photo-based artist’s book exploring a fictional subterranean labyrinth.
GROTTO is the culmination of a project more than 3 years in the making. SInce early 2013 I’ve been constructing dioramas and small sculptures in my studio in Ridgewood, Queens, and carefully photographing them to produce 3D images that are designed to be viewed with red/cyan glasses. As the project continued, it has evolved quite a bit, but always with the end goal of creating a book. I’m very excited that it’s almost complete! GROTTO will be my first printed book, and I look forward to being able to share it with you.
The images in the book feature cave-like interiors and sculptures that reference spaces both public and private—the home, the office, the nightclub, the mall, the art studio—in a simplified language and with a heightened atmosphere of dread. I wanted to create a self-contained world that connects to a psychological, interior space that is just familiar enough. These scenes also reference some of my favorite horror and science fiction films and analog special effects. Many of the compositions resemble faces as well—they are dreamlike and claustrophobic and hint at architecture’s ability to inform or corrupt our memories and desires.
The sculptural objects and figures perform gestural nods to Isamu Noguchi, Louise Bourgeois, and Alexander Calder. They are alternately anthropomorphic and alien, formal and organic.
Here are a few images from the book as twitchy animated gifs, which may help give you an idea of the 3D effect:
Here are some photos taken while building models for the project:
And here are some of the actual 3D images:
Here on kickstarter, I am pre-selling this book to donors at the cost of printing in hardcover—the most suitable format for this project. After printing, additional copies of the book will be available at a higher retail cost. The books will be printed by Oddi Printing in Iceland. Having worked with them several times before, I know they will do a great job and create a beautiful, high-end product—and I’m very comfortable with their labor practices and environmental policy.
Thank you for taking the time to look at my project — I hope that you will pledge! GROTTO’s printing is much more likely to be funded if you check out my extra rewards
$25 pledge = GROTTO artist’s book, 9 x 9 inches, 48 pages, full-color offset hardcover with 2 pairs of 3D glasses
$60 pledge = signed GROTTO book + one small hand-cast staircase (6.5 inches long) in either cement (left) or hydrocal (right), limited to 10 of each
$100 pledge = signed GROTTO book + signed and numbered circle rock print, 10 x 10 inches, limited edition of 50.
$300 pledge = signed GROTTO book + unique plinth sculpture in hydrocal, hand cast then carved. 10 x 2.75 x 2 inches — 1 available
$500 pledge = signed GROTTO book + unique broken snake sculpture in hydrocal, hand cast then carved. 9 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches — 1 available
$500 pledge = signed GROTTO book + unique eye wall sculpture in hydrocal, hand cast then carved. 7 x 9.5 x 3.5 inches — 1 available
$2,400 pledge = signed GROTTO book + the 2013 original painting I’m telling you this isn’t forever, 24 x 20 inches, oil on wood panel. 1 available
I’ve personally produced seven offset-printed art publications (six exhibition catalogs and one other artist’s book), some of them with the same printer I’m working with on this project. While this is the first one that focuses on my own work, I’m confident that I have the experience to see the project through. My plans for a January delivery date allow enough time for proper proofing and editing. I don’t foresee any major problems with finishing the book if I reach my funding goal.