An Exquisite Future

An Exquisite Future was created in the Fall of 2014 by Master's Degree candidates [Susanne Allen, Sarah Matthews, Amy Nichols, Sarah Denslow, Krista Sharp, and Julie Sheah] in the Art and the Book Program, Marginalia Press, at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, George Washington University, under the guidance of Sarah McDermott.

In the book, the group explores the implications of a future with fewer honeybees. A vital pollinator of many types of food plants for humans and animals, honeybees are in danger of disappearing because of colony collapse disorder. The artists used this phenomenon as a starting point for contemplating the future. Each artist responded to the preceding vision, building on what came before and using humor while considering potential difficulties.”

Techniques used were letterpress, screenprint, linoleum relief, and Sintra plates on Rives Heavyweight Text. The background images of native pollinators were digitally printed on Canson Mi-Teintes. The typefaces are Eurostyle and Aleo, letterpress printed from polymer plates. The cover sheets are made of cotton and abaca by hand.

Letterpress, screen print, linoleum relief, and Sintra plate carving. Bound in an accordion with a removable spine and sewn inserts.

Edition of 30

An Exquisite Future is in the following collections:

Art Institute of Chicago, Flaxman Library, Artist Book Collection, Chicago, IL

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT

Community of Hope Family Health and Birth Center's Permanent Collection, Washington, DC

California State University East Bay, University Library, Special Collections, Hayward, CA

Gelman Library, Special Collections, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Miami University, King Library, Special Collections, Oxford, OH

Rhode Island School of Design, Fleet Library, Providence, RI

Samford University, Special Collections, Birmingham, AL

Savannah College of Art & Design, Jen Library, Special Collections, Savannah, GA

Stanford University, Green Library, American History Collection, Stanford, CA

Temple University, Paley Library, Special Collections, Philadelphia, PA

University of California Davis, Shields Library, Special Collections, Davis, CA

UCLA, Arts Library, Special Collections, Los Angeles, CA

University of Colorado Boulder, Norlin Library, Special Collections, Boulder, CO

University of Connecticut, Dodd Research Center, Special Collections, Storrs, CT

University of Iowa, Library, Special Collections, Iowa City, IA

University of Louisville, Bridwell Art Library, Artist Book Collection, Louisville, KY

University of Vermont, Bailey/Howe Library, Special Collections, Burlington, VT

Vanderbilt University, Heard Library, Special Collections, Nashville, TN